Lipids for use in lipid nanoparticle formulations

ABSTRACT

Compounds are provided having the following structure (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, wherein G1, G1′, G2, G2′, G3, L1, L1′, L2, L2′, X, X′, Y and Y′ are as defined herein. Use of the compounds as a component of lipid nanoparticle formulations for delivery of a therapeutic agent, compositions comprising the compounds and methods for their use and preparation are also provided.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to novel lipids that can be used in combination with other lipid components, such as neutral lipids, cholesterol and polymer conjugated lipids, to form lipid nanoparticles for delivery of therapeutic agents, such as nucleic acids (e.g., oligonucleotides, messenger RNA), both in vitro and in vivo.

Description of the Related Art

There are many challenges associated with the delivery of nucleic acids to affect a desired response in a biological system. Nucleic acid based therapeutics have enormous potential but there remains a need for more effective delivery of nucleic acids to appropriate sites within a cell or organism in order to realize this potential. Therapeutic nucleic acids include, e.g., messenger RNA (mRNA), antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes, DNAzymes, plasmids, immune stimulating nucleic acids, antagomir, antimir, mimic, supermir, and aptamers. Some nucleic acids, such as mRNA or plasmids, can be used to effect expression of specific cellular products as would be useful in the treatment of, for example, diseases related to a deficiency of a protein or enzyme. The therapeutic applications of translatable nucleotide delivery are extremely broad as constructs can be synthesized to produce any chosen protein sequence, whether or not indigenous to the system. The expression products of the nucleic acid can augment existing levels of protein, replace missing or non-functional versions of a protein, or introduce new protein and associated functionality in a cell or organism.

Some nucleic acids, such as miRNA inhibitors, can be used to effect expression of specific cellular products that are regulated by miRNA as would be useful in the treatment of, for example, diseases related to deficiency of protein or enzyme. The therapeutic applications of miRNA inhibition are extremely broad as constructs can be synthesized to inhibit one or more miRNA that would in turn regulate the expression of mRNA products. The inhibition of endogenous miRNA can augment its downstream target endogenous protein expression and restore proper function in a cell or organism as a means to treat disease associated to a specific miRNA or a group of miRNA.

Other nucleic acids can down-regulate intracellular levels of specific mRNA and, as a result, down-regulate the synthesis of the corresponding proteins through processes such as RNA interference (RNAi) or complementary binding of antisense RNA. The therapeutic applications of antisense oligonucleotide and RNAi are also extremely broad, since oligonucleotide constructs can be synthesized with any nucleotide sequence directed against a target mRNA. Targets may include mRNAs from normal cells, mRNAs associated with disease-states, such as cancer, and mRNAs of infectious agents, such as viruses. To date, antisense oligonucleotide constructs have shown the ability to specifically down-regulate target proteins through degradation of the cognate mRNA in both in vitro and in vivo models. In addition, antisense oligonucleotide constructs are currently being evaluated in clinical studies.

However, two problems currently face the use of oligonucleotides in therapeutic contexts. First, free RNAs are susceptible to nuclease digestion in plasma. Second, free RNAs have limited ability to gain access to the intracellular compartment where the relevant translation machinery resides. Lipid nanoparticles formed from lipids formulated with other lipid components, such as neutral lipids, cholesterol, PEG, PEGylated lipids, and oligonucleotides have been used to block degradation of the RNAs in plasma and facilitate the cellular uptake of the oligonucleotides.

There remains a need for improved lipids and lipid nanoparticles for the delivery of oligonucleotides. Preferably, these lipid nanoparticles would provide optimal drug:lipid ratios, protect the nucleic acid from degradation and clearance in serum, be suitable for systemic or local delivery, and provide intracellular delivery of the nucleic acid. In addition, these lipid-nucleic acid particles should be well-tolerated and provide an adequate therapeutic index, such that patient treatment at an effective dose of the nucleic acid is not associated with unacceptable toxicity and/or risk to the patient. The present invention provides these and related advantages.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In brief, embodiments of the present invention provide lipid compounds, including stereoisomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs or tautomers thereof, which can be used alone or in combination with other lipid components such as neutral lipids, charged lipids, steroids (including for example, all sterols) and/or their analogs, and/or polymer conjugated lipids to form lipid nanoparticles for the delivery of therapeutic agents. In some instances, the lipid nanoparticles are used to deliver nucleic acids such as antisense and/or messenger RNA. Methods for use of such lipid nanoparticles for treatment of various diseases or conditions, such as those caused by infectious entities and/or insufficiency of a protein, are also provided.

In one embodiment, compounds having the following structure (I) are provided:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer, prodrug or stereoisomer thereof, wherein G¹, G^(1′), G², G^(2′), G³, L¹, L^(1′), L², L^(2′), X, X′, Y and Y′ are as defined herein.

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more of the foregoing compounds of structure (I) and a therapeutic agent are also provided. Also provided are lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) comprising one or more compounds of structure (I). In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions and/or LNPs further comprise one or more components selected from neutral lipids, charged lipids, steroids and polymer conjugated lipids. The disclosed compositions are useful for formation of lipid nanoparticles for the delivery of the therapeutic agent.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides a method for administering a therapeutic agent to a patient in need thereof, the method comprising preparing a composition of lipid nanoparticles comprising the compound of structure (I) and a therapeutic agent and delivering the composition to the patient. In some embodiments the method for administering a therapeutic agent to a patient in need thereof comprises administering an LNP comprising one or more compounds of structure (I) and the therapeutic agent to the patient.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent upon reference to the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these details.

Embodiments of the present invention are based, in part, upon the discovery of novel lipids that provide advantages when used in lipid nanoparticles for the in vivo delivery of an active or therapeutic agent such as a nucleic acid into a cell of a mammal. In particular, embodiments the present invention provides nucleic acid-lipid nanoparticle compositions comprising one or more of the novel lipids described herein that provide increased activity of the nucleic acid and improved tolerability of the compositions in vivo, resulting in a significant increase in the therapeutic index as compared to nucleic acid-lipid nanoparticle compositions previously described. For example, embodiments provide a lipid nanoparticle comprising one or more compounds of structure (I).

In particular embodiments, the present invention provides novel lipids that enable the formulation of improved compositions for the in vitro and in vivo delivery of mRNA and/or other oligonucleotides. In some embodiments, these improved lipid nanoparticle compositions are useful for expression of protein encoded by mRNA. In other embodiments, these improved lipid nanoparticles compositions are useful for upregulation of endogenous protein expression by delivering miRNA inhibitors targeting one specific miRNA or a group of miRNA regulating one target mRNA or several mRNA. In other embodiments, these improved lipid nanoparticle compositions are useful for down-regulating (e.g., silencing) the protein levels and/or mRNA levels of target genes. In some other embodiments, the lipid nanoparticles are also useful for delivery of mRNA and plasmids for expression of transgenes. In yet other embodiments, the lipid nanoparticle compositions are useful for inducing a pharmacological effect resulting from expression of a protein, e.g., increased production of red blood cells through the delivery of a suitable erythropoietin mRNA, or protection against infection through delivery of mRNA encoding for a suitable antigen or antibody.

The lipid nanoparticles and compositions of embodiments of the present invention may be used for a variety of purposes, including the delivery of encapsulated or associated (e.g., complexed) therapeutic agents such as nucleic acids to cells, both in vitro and in vivo. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide methods of treating or preventing diseases or disorders in a subject in need thereof by contacting the subject with a lipid nanoparticle that encapsulates or is associated with a suitable therapeutic agent, wherein the lipid nanoparticle comprises one or more of the novel lipids described herein.

As described herein, embodiments of the lipid nanoparticles of the present invention are particularly useful for the delivery of nucleic acids, including, e.g., mRNA, antisense oligonucleotide, plasmid DNA, microRNA (miRNA), miRNA inhibitors (antagomirs/antimirs), messenger-RNA-interfering complementary RNA (micRNA), DNA, multivalent RNA, dicer substrate RNA, complementary DNA (cDNA), etc. Therefore, the lipid nanoparticles and compositions of embodiments of the present invention may be used to induce expression of a desired protein both in vitro and in vivo by contacting cells with a lipid nanoparticle comprising one or more novel lipids described herein, wherein the lipid nanoparticle encapsulates or is associated with a nucleic acid that is expressed to produce the desired protein (e.g., a messenger RNA or plasmid encoding the desired protein) or inhibit processes that terminate expression of mRNA (e.g., miRNA inhibitors). Alternatively, the lipid nanoparticles and compositions of embodiments of the present invention may be used to decrease the expression of target genes and proteins both in vitro and in vivo by contacting cells with a lipid nanoparticle comprising one or more novel lipids (e.g., a compound of structure (I)) described herein, wherein the lipid nanoparticle encapsulates or is associated with a nucleic acid that reduces target gene expression (e.g., an antisense oligonucleotide or small interfering RNA (siRNA)). The lipid nanoparticles and compositions of embodiments of the present invention may also be used for co-delivery of different nucleic acids (e.g., mRNA and plasmid DNA) separately or in combination, such as may be useful to provide an effect requiring colocalization of different nucleic acids (e.g., mRNA encoding for a suitable gene modifying enzyme and DNA segment(s) for incorporation into the host genome).

Nucleic acids for use with embodiments of this invention may be prepared according to any available technique. For mRNA, the primary methodology of preparation is, but not limited to, enzymatic synthesis (also termed in vitro transcription) which currently represents the most efficient method to produce long sequence-specific mRNA. In vitro transcription describes a process of template-directed synthesis of RNA molecules from an engineered DNA template comprised of an upstream bacteriophage promoter sequence (e.g., including but not limited to that from the T7, T3 and SP6 coliphage) linked to a downstream sequence encoding the gene of interest. Template DNA can be prepared for in vitro transcription from a number of sources with appropriate techniques which are well known in the art including, but not limited to, plasmid DNA and polymerase chain reaction amplification (see Linpinsel, J. L and Conn, G. L., General protocols for preparation of plasmid DNA template and Bowman, J. C., Azizi, B., Lenz, T. K., Ray, P., and Williams, L. D. in RNA in vitro transcription and RNA purification by denaturing PAGE in Recombinant and in vitro RNA syntheses Methods v. 941 Conn G. L. (ed), New York, N.Y. Humana Press, 2012).

Transcription of the RNA occurs in vitro using the linearized DNA template in the presence of the corresponding RNA polymerase and adenosine, guanosine, uridine and cytidine ribonucleoside triphosphates (rNTPs) under conditions that support polymerase activity while minimizing potential degradation of the resultant mRNA transcripts. In vitro transcription can be performed using a variety of commercially available kits including, but not limited to RiboMax Large Scale RNA Production System (Promega), MegaScript Transcription kits (Life Technologies) as well as with commercially available reagents including RNA polymerases and rNTPs. The methodology for in vitro transcription of mRNA is well known in the art. (see, e.g., Losick, R., 1972, In vitro transcription, Ann Rev Biochem v. 41 409-46; Kamakaka, R. T. and Kraus, W. L. 2001. In Vitro Transcription. Current Protocols in Cell Biology. 2:11.6:11.6.1-11.6.17; Beckert, B. And Masquida, B., (2010) Synthesis of RNA by In Vitro Transcription in RNA in Methods in Molecular Biology v. 703 (Neilson, H. Ed), New York, N.Y. Humana Press, 2010; Brunelle, J. L. and Green, R., 2013, Chapter Five—In vitro transcription from plasmid or PCR-amplified DNA, Methods in Enzymology v. 530, 101-114; all of which are incorporated herein by reference).

The desired in vitro transcribed mRNA is then purified from the undesired components of the transcription or associated reactions (including unincorporated rNTPs, protein enzyme, salts, short RNA oligos, etc.). Techniques for the isolation of the mRNA transcripts are well known in the art. Well known procedures include phenol/chloroform extraction or precipitation with either alcohol (ethanol, isopropanol) in the presence of monovalent cations or lithium chloride. Additional, non-limiting examples of purification procedures which can be used include size exclusion chromatography (Lukavsky, P. J. and Puglisi, J. D., 2004, Large-scale preparation and purification of polyacrylamide-free RNA oligonucleotides, RNA v. 10, 889-893), silica-based affinity chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Bowman, J. C., Azizi, B., Lenz, T. K., Ray, P., and Williams, L. D. in RNA in vitro transcription and RNA purification by denaturing PAGE in Recombinant and in vitro RNA syntheses Methods v. 941 Conn G. L. (ed), New York, N.Y. Humana Press, 2012). Purification can be performed using a variety of commercially available kits including, but not limited to SV Total Isolation System (Promega) and In Vitro Transcription Cleanup and Concentration Kit (Norgen Biotek).

Furthermore, while reverse transcription can yield large quantities of mRNA, the products can contain a number of aberrant RNA impurities associated with undesired polymerase activity which may need to be removed from the full-length mRNA preparation. These include short RNAs that result from abortive transcription initiation as well as double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) generated by RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity, RNA-primed transcription from RNA templates and self-complementary 3′ extension. It has been demonstrated that these contaminants with dsRNA structures can lead to undesired immunostimulatory activity through interaction with various innate immune sensors in eukaryotic cells that function to recognize specific nucleic acid structures and induce potent immune responses. This in turn, can dramatically reduce mRNA translation since protein synthesis is reduced during the innate cellular immune response. Therefore, additional techniques to remove these dsRNA contaminants have been developed and are known in the art including but not limited to scaleable HPLC purification (see, e.g., Kariko, K., Muramatsu, H., Ludwig, J. And Weissman, D., 2011, Generating the optimal mRNA for therapy: HPLC purification eliminates immune activation and improves translation of nucleoside-modified, protein-encoding mRNA, Nucl Acid Res, v. 39 e142; Weissman, D., Pardi, N., Muramatsu, H., and Kariko, K., HPLC Purification of in vitro transcribed long RNA in Synthetic Messenger RNA and Cell Metabolism Modulation in Methods in Molecular Biology v. 969 (Rabinovich, P. H. Ed), 2013). HPLC purified mRNA has been reported to be translated at much greater levels, particularly in primary cells and in vivo.

A significant variety of modifications have been described in the art which are used to alter specific properties of in vitro transcribed mRNA, and improve its utility. These include, but are not limited to modifications to the 5′ and 3′ termini of the mRNA. Endogenous eukaryotic mRNA typically contain a cap structure on the 5′-end of a mature molecule which plays an important role in mediating binding of the mRNA Cap Binding Protein (CBP), which is in turn responsible for enhancing mRNA stability in the cell and efficiency of mRNA translation. Therefore, highest levels of protein expression are achieved with capped mRNA transcripts. The 5′-cap contains a 5′-5′-triphosphate linkage between the 5′-most nucleotide and guanine nucleotide. The conjugated guanine nucleotide is methylated at the N7 position. Additional modifications include methylation of the ultimate and penultimate most 5′-nucleotides on the 2′-hydroxyl group.

Multiple distinct cap structures can be used to generate the 5′-cap of in vitro transcribed synthetic mRNA. 5′-capping of synthetic mRNA can be performed co-transcriptionally with chemical cap analogs (i.e. capping during in vitro transcription). For example, the Anti-Reverse Cap Analog (ARCA) cap contains a 5′-5′-triphosphate guanine-guanine linkage where one guanine contains an N7 methyl group as well as a 3′-O-methyl group. However, up to 20% of transcripts remain uncapped during this co-transcriptional process and the synthetic cap analog is not identical to the 5′-cap structure of an authentic cellular mRNA, potentially reducing translatability and cellular stability. Alternatively, synthetic mRNA molecules may also be enzymatically capped post-transcriptionally. These may generate a more authentic 5′-cap structure that more closely mimics, either structurally or functionally, the endogenous 5′-cap which have enhanced binding of cap binding proteins, increased half-life, reduced susceptibility to 5′ endonucleases, and/or reduced 5′ decapping. Numerous synthetic 5′-cap analogs have been developed and are known in the art to enhance mRNA stability and translatability (see, e.g., Grudzien-Nogalska, E., Kowalska, J., Su, W., Kuhn, A. N., Slepenkov, S. V., Darynkiewicz, E., Sahin, U., Jemielity, J., and Rhoads, R. E., Synthetic mRNAs with superior translation and stability properties in Synthetic Messenger RNA and Cell Metabolism Modulation in Methods in Molecular Biology v. 969 (Rainovich, P. H. Ed), 2013).

On the 3′-terminus, a long chain of adenine nucleotides (poly-A tail) is normally added to mRNA molecules during RNA processing. Immediately after transcription, the 3′ end of the transcript is cleaved to free a 3′ hydroxyl to which poly-A polymerase adds a chain of adenine nucleotides to the RNA in a process called polyadenylation. The poly-A tail has been extensively shown to enhance both translational efficiency and stability of mRNA (see Bernstein, P. and Ross, J., 1989, Poly (A), poly (A) binding protein and the regulation of mRNA stability, Trends Bio Sci v. 14 373-377; Guhaniyogi, J. And Brewer, G., 2001, Regulation of mRNA stability in mammalian cells, Gene, v. 265, 11-23; Dreyfus, M. And Regnier, P., 2002, The poly (A) tail of mRNAs: Bodyguard in eukaryotes, scavenger in bacteria, Cell, v. 111, 611-613).

Poly (A) tailing of in vitro transcribed mRNA can be achieved using various approaches including, but not limited to, cloning of a poly (T) tract into the DNA template or by post-transcriptional addition using Poly (A) polymerase. The first case allows in vitro transcription of mRNA with poly (A) tails of defined length, depending on the size of the poly (T) tract, but requires additional manipulation of the template. The latter case involves the enzymatic addition of a poly (A) tail to in vitro transcribed mRNA using poly (A) polymerase which catalyzes the incorporation of adenine residues onto the 3′termini of RNA, requiring no additional manipulation of the DNA template, but results in mRNA with poly(A) tails of heterogeneous length. 5′-capping and 3′-poly (A) tailing can be performed using a variety of commercially available kits including, but not limited to Poly (A) Polymerase Tailing kit (EpiCenter), mMESSAGE mMACHINE T7 Ultra kit and Poly (A) Tailing kit (Life Technologies) as well as with commercially available reagents, various ARCA caps, Poly (A) polymerase, etc.

In addition to 5′ cap and 3′ poly adenylation, other modifications of the in vitro transcripts have been reported to provide benefits as related to efficiency of translation and stability. It is well known in the art that pathogenic DNA and RNA can be recognized by a variety of sensors within eukaryotes and trigger potent innate immune responses. The ability to discriminate between pathogenic and self DNA and RNA has been shown to be based, at least in part, on structure and nucleoside modifications since most nucleic acids from natural sources contain modified nucleosides In contrast, in vitro synthesized RNA lacks these modifications, thus rendering it immunostimulatory which in turn can inhibit effective mRNA translation as outlined above. The introduction of modified nucleosides into in vitro transcribed mRNA can be used to prevent recognition and activation of RNA sensors, thus mitigating this undesired immunostimulatory activity and enhancing translation capacity (see e.g. Kariko, K. And Weissman, D. 2007, Naturally occurring nucleoside modifications suppress the immunostimulatory activity of RNA: implication for therapeutic RNA development, Curr Opin Drug Discov Devel, v. 10 523-532; Pardi, N., Muramatsu, H., Weissman, D., Kariko, K., In vitro transcription of long RNA containing modified nucleosides in Synthetic Messenger RNA and Cell Metabolism Modulation in Methods in Molecular Biology v. 969 (Rabinovich, P. H. Ed), 2013); Kariko, K., Muramatsu, H., Welsh, F. A., Ludwig, J., Kato, H., Akira, S., Weissman, D., 2008, Incorporation of Pseudouridine Into mRNA Yields Superior Nonimmunogenic Vector With Increased Translational Capacity and Biological Stability, Mol Ther v. 16, 1833-1840. The modified nucleosides and nucleotides used in the synthesis of modified RNAs can be prepared monitored and utilized using general methods and procedures known in the art. A large variety of nucleoside modifications are available that may be incorporated alone or in combination with other modified nucleosides to some extent into the in vitro transcribed mRNA (see e.g. US2012/0251618). In vitro synthesis of nucleoside-modified mRNA have been reported to have reduced ability to activate immune sensors with a concomitant enhanced translational capacity.

Other components of mRNA which can be modified to provide benefit in terms of translatability and stability include the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTR). Optimization of the UTRs (favorable 5′ and 3′ UTRs can be obtained from cellular or viral RNAs), either both or independently, have been shown to increase mRNA stability and translational efficiency of in vitro transcribed mRNA (see e.g. Pardi, N., Muramatsu, H., Weissman, D., Kariko, K., In vitro transcription of long RNA containing modified nucleosides in Synthetic Messenger RNA and Cell Metabolism Modulation in Methods in Molecular Biology v. 969 (Rabinovich, P. H. Ed), 2013).

In addition to mRNA, other nucleic acid payloads may be used for embodiments of this invention. For oligonucleotides, methods of preparation include but are not limited to chemical synthesis and enzymatic, chemical cleavage of a longer precursor, in vitro transcription as described above, etc. Methods of synthesizing DNA and RNA nucleotides are widely used and well known in the art (see, e.g. Gait, M. J. (ed.) Oligonucleotide synthesis: a practical approach, Oxford [Oxfordshire], Washington, D.C.: IRL Press, 1984; and Herdewijn, P. (ed.) Oligonucleotide synthesis: methods and applications, Methods in Molecular Biology, v. 288 (Clifton, N.J.) Totowa, N.J.: Humana Press, 2005; both of which are incorporated herein by reference).

For plasmid DNA, preparation for use with embodiments of this invention commonly utilizes but is not limited to expansion and isolation of the plasmid DNA in vitro in a liquid culture of bacteria containing the plasmid of interest. The presence of a gene in the plasmid of interest that encodes resistance to a particular antibiotic (penicillin, kanamycin, etc.) allows those bacteria containing the plasmid of interest to selectively grow in antibiotic-containing cultures. Methods of isolating plasmid DNA are widely used and well known in the art (see, e.g. Heilig, J., Elbing, K. L. and Brent, R (2001) Large-Scale Preparation of Plasmid DNA. Current Protocols in Molecular Biology. 41:II:1.7:1.7.1-1.7.16; Rozkov, A., Larsson, B., Gillström, S., Björnestedt, R. and Schmidt, S. R. (2008), Large-scale production of endotoxin-free plasmids for transient expression in mammalian cell culture. Biotechnol. Bioeng., 99: 557-566; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,197,553B1). Plasmid isolation can be performed using a variety of commercially available kits including, but not limited to Plasmid Plus (Qiagen), GenJET plasmid MaxiPrep (Thermo) and PureYield MaxiPrep (Promega) kits as well as with commercially available reagents.

Various exemplary embodiments of the lipids of the present invention, lipid nanoparticles and compositions comprising the same, and their use to deliver active (e.g. therapeutic agents), such as nucleic acids, to modulate gene and protein expression, are described in further detail below.

As used herein, the following terms have the meanings ascribed to them unless specified otherwise.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the present specification and claims, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open and inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to”.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this invention belongs. As used in the specification and claims, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The phrase “induce expression of a desired protein” refers to the ability of a nucleic acid to increase expression of the desired protein. To examine the extent of protein expression, a test sample (e.g. a sample of cells in culture expressing the desired protein) or a test mammal (e.g. a mammal such as a human or an animal model such as a rodent (e.g. mouse) or a non-human primate (e.g., monkey) model) is contacted with a nucleic acid (e.g. nucleic acid in combination with a lipid of the present invention). Expression of the desired protein in the test sample or test animal is compared to expression of the desired protein in a control sample (e.g. a sample of cells in culture expressing the desired protein) or a control mammal (e.g., a mammal such as a human or an animal model such as a rodent (e.g. mouse) or non-human primate (e.g. monkey) model) that is not contacted with or administered the nucleic acid. When the desired protein is present in a control sample or a control mammal, the expression of a desired protein in a control sample or a control mammal may be assigned a value of 1.0. In particular embodiments, inducing expression of a desired protein is achieved when the ratio of desired protein expression in the test sample or the test mammal to the level of desired protein expression in the control sample or the control mammal is greater than 1, for example, about 1.1, 1.5, 2.0. 5.0 or 10.0. When a desired protein is not present in a control sample or a control mammal, inducing expression of a desired protein is achieved when any measurable level of the desired protein in the test sample or the test mammal is detected. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand appropriate assays to determine the level of protein expression in a sample, for example dot blots, northern blots, in situ hybridization, ELISA, immunoprecipitation, enzyme function, and phenotypic assays, or assays based on reporter proteins that can produce fluorescence or luminescence under appropriate conditions.

The phrase “inhibiting expression of a target gene” refers to the ability of a nucleic acid to silence, reduce, or inhibit the expression of a target gene. To examine the extent of gene silencing, a test sample (e.g. a sample of cells in culture expressing the target gene) or a test mammal (e.g. a mammal such as a human or an animal model such as a rodent (e.g. mouse) or a non-human primate (e.g. monkey) model) is contacted with a nucleic acid that silences, reduces, or inhibits expression of the target gene. Expression of the target gene in the test sample or test animal is compared to expression of the target gene in a control sample (e.g. a sample of cells in culture expressing the target gene) or a control mammal (e.g. a mammal such as a human or an animal model such as a rodent (e.g. mouse) or non-human primate (e.g. monkey) model) that is not contacted with or administered the nucleic acid. The expression of the target gene in a control sample or a control mammal may be assigned a value of 100%. In particular embodiments, silencing, inhibition, or reduction of expression of a target gene is achieved when the level of target gene expression in the test sample or the test mammal relative to the level of target gene expression in the control sample or the control mammal is about 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, or 0%. In other words, the nucleic acids are capable of silencing, reducing, or inhibiting the expression of a target gene by at least about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100% in a test sample or a test mammal relative to the level of target gene expression in a control sample or a control mammal not contacted with or administered the nucleic acid. Suitable assays for determining the level of target gene expression include, without limitation, examination of protein or mRNA levels using techniques known to those of skill in the art, such as, e.g., dot blots, northern blots, in situ hybridization, ELISA, immunoprecipitation, enzyme function, as well as phenotypic assays known to those of skill in the art.

An “effective amount” or “therapeutically effective amount” of an active agent or therapeutic agent such as a therapeutic nucleic acid is an amount sufficient to produce the desired effect, e.g. an increase or inhibition of expression of a target sequence in comparison to the normal expression level detected in the absence of the nucleic acid. An increase in expression of a target sequence is achieved when any measurable level is detected in the case of an expression product that is not present in the absence of the nucleic acid. In the case where the expression product is present at some level prior to contact with the nucleic acid, an in increase in expression is achieved when the fold increase in value obtained with a nucleic acid such as mRNA relative to control is about 1.05, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 75, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 5000, 10000 or greater. Inhibition of expression of a target gene or target sequence is achieved when the value obtained with a nucleic acid such as antisense oligonucleotide relative to the control is about 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, or 0%. Suitable assays for measuring expression of a target gene or target sequence include, e.g., examination of protein or RNA levels using techniques known to those of skill in the art such as dot blots, northern blots, in situ hybridization, ELISA, immunoprecipitation, enzyme function, fluorescence or luminescence of suitable reporter proteins, as well as phenotypic assays known to those of skill in the art.

The term “nucleic acid” as used herein refers to a polymer containing at least two deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides in either single- or double-stranded form and includes DNA, RNA, and hybrids thereof. DNA may be in the form of antisense molecules, plasmid DNA, cDNA, PCR products, or vectors. RNA may be in the form of small hairpin RNA (shRNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), antisense RNA, miRNA, micRNA, multivalent RNA, dicer substrate RNA or viral RNA (vRNA), and combinations thereof. Nucleic acids include nucleic acids containing known nucleotide analogs or modified backbone residues or linkages, which are synthetic, naturally occurring, and non-naturally occurring, and which have similar binding properties as the reference nucleic acid. Examples of such analogs include, without limitation, phosphorothioates, phosphoramidates, methyl phosphonates, chiral-methyl phosphonates, 2′-O-methyl ribonucleotides, and peptide-nucleic acids (PNAs). Unless specifically limited, the term encompasses nucleic acids containing known analogues of natural nucleotides that have similar binding properties as the reference nucleic acid. Unless otherwise indicated, a particular nucleic acid sequence also implicitly encompasses conservatively modified variants thereof (e.g., degenerate codon substitutions), alleles, orthologs, single nucleotide polymorphisms, and complementary sequences as well as the sequence explicitly indicated. Specifically, degenerate codon substitutions may be achieved by generating sequences in which the third position of one or more selected (or all) codons is substituted with mixed-base and/or deoxyinosine residues (Batzer et al., Nucleic Acid Res., 19:5081 (1991); Ohtsuka et al., J. Biol. Chem., 260:2605-2608 (1985); Rossolini et al., Mol. Cell. Probes, 8:91-98 (1994)). “Nucleotides” contain a sugar deoxyribose (DNA) or ribose (RNA), a base, and a phosphate group. Nucleotides are linked together through the phosphate groups. “Bases” include purines and pyrimidines, which further include natural compounds adenine, thymine, guanine, cytosine, uracil, inosine, and natural analogs, and synthetic derivatives of purines and pyrimidines, which include, but are not limited to, modifications which place new reactive groups such as, but not limited to, amines, alcohols, thiols, carboxylates, and alkylhalides.

The term “gene” refers to a nucleic acid (e.g., DNA or RNA) sequence that comprises partial length or entire length coding sequences necessary for the production of a polypeptide or precursor polypeptide.

“Gene product,” as used herein, refers to a product of a gene such as an RNA transcript or a polypeptide.

The term “lipid” refers to a group of organic compounds that include, but are not limited to, esters of fatty acids and are generally characterized by being poorly soluble in water, but soluble in many organic solvents. They are usually divided into at least three classes: (1) “simple lipids,” which include fats and oils as well as waxes; (2) “compound lipids,” which include phospholipids and glycolipids; and (3) “derived lipids” such as steroids.

A “steroid” is a compound comprising the following carbon skeleton:

Non-limiting examples of steroids include cholesterol, and the like.

A “cationic lipid” refers to a lipid capable of being positively charged. Exemplary cationic lipids include one or more amine group(s) which bear the positive charge. Preferred cationic lipids are ionizable such that they can exist in a positively charged or neutral form depending on pH. The ionization of the cationic lipid affects the surface charge of the lipid nanoparticle under different pH conditions. This charge state can influence plasma protein absorption, blood clearance and tissue distribution (Semple, S. C., et al., Adv. Drug Deliv Rev 32:3-17 (1998)) as well as the ability to form endosomolytic non-bilayer structures (Hafez, I. M., et al., Gene Ther 8:1188-1196 (2001)) critical to the intracellular delivery of nucleic acids.

The term “polymer conjugated lipid” refers to a molecule comprising both a lipid portion and a polymer portion. An example of a polymer conjugated lipid is a pegylated lipid. The term “pegylated lipid” refers to a molecule comprising both a lipid portion and a polyethylene glycol portion. Pegylated lipids are known in the art and include 1-(monomethoxy-polyethyleneglycol)-2,3-dimyristoylglycerol (PEG-DMG) and the like.

The term “neutral lipid” refers to any of a number of lipid species that exist either in an uncharged or neutral zwitterionic form at a selected pH. At physiological pH, such lipids include, but are not limited to, phosphotidylcholines such as 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC), 1,2-Dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC), 1,2-Dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC), 1-Palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC), phophatidylethanolamines such as 1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE), sphingomyelins (SM), ceramides, steroids such as sterols and their derivatives. Neutral lipids may be synthetic or naturally derived.

The term “charged lipid” refers to any of a number of lipid species that exist in either a positively charged or negatively charged form independent of the pH within a useful physiological range e.g. pH˜3 to pH˜9. Charged lipids may be synthetic or naturally derived. Examples of charged lipids include phosphatidylserines, phosphatidic acids, phosphatidylglycerols, phosphatidylinositols, sterol hemisuccinates, dialkyl trimethylammonium-propanes, (e.g. DOTAP, DOTMA), dialkyl dimethylaminopropanes, ethyl phosphocholines, dimethylaminoethane carbamoyl sterols (e.g. DC-Chol).

The term “lipid nanoparticle” refers to particles having at least one dimension on the order of nanometers (e.g., 1-1,000 nm) which include one or more of the compounds of structure (I) or other specified cationic lipids. In some embodiments, lipid nanoparticles are included in a formulation that can be used to deliver an active agent or therapeutic agent, such as a nucleic acid (e.g., mRNA) to a target site of interest (e.g., cell, tissue, organ, tumor, and the like). In some embodiments, the lipid nanoparticles of the invention comprise a nucleic acid. Such lipid nanoparticles typically comprise a compound of structure (I) and one or more excipient selected from neutral lipids, charged lipids, steroids and polymer conjugated lipids. In some embodiments, the active agent or therapeutic agent, such as a nucleic acid, may be encapsulated in the lipid portion of the lipid nanoparticle or an aqueous space enveloped by some or all of the lipid portion of the lipid nanoparticle, thereby protecting it from enzymatic degradation or other undesirable effects induced by the mechanisms of the host organism or cells e.g. an adverse immune response.

In various embodiments, the lipid nanoparticles have a mean diameter of from about 30 nm to about 150 nm, from about 40 nm to about 150 nm, from about 50 nm to about 150 nm, from about 60 nm to about 130 nm, from about 70 nm to about 110 nm, from about 70 nm to about 100 nm, from about 80 nm to about 100 nm, from about 90 nm to about 100 nm, from about 70 to about 90 nm, from about 80 nm to about 90 nm, from about 70 nm to about 80 nm, or about 30 nm, 35 nm, 40 nm, 45 nm, 50 nm, 55 nm, 60 nm, 65 nm, 70 nm, 75 nm, 80 nm, 85 nm, 90 nm, 95 nm, 100 nm, 105 nm, 110 nm, 115 nm, 120 nm, 125 nm, 130 nm, 135 nm, 140 nm, 145 nm, or 150 nm, and are substantially non-toxic. In certain embodiments, nucleic acids, when present in the lipid nanoparticles, are resistant in aqueous solution to degradation with a nuclease. Lipid nanoparticles comprising nucleic acids and their method of preparation are disclosed in, e.g., U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2004/0142025, 2007/0042031 and PCT Pub. Nos. WO 2017/004143, WO 2015/199952, WO 2013/016058 and WO 2013/086373, the full disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

As used herein, “lipid encapsulated” refers to a lipid nanoparticle that provides an active agent or therapeutic agent, such as a nucleic acid (e.g., mRNA), with full encapsulation, partial encapsulation, or both. In an embodiment, the nucleic acid (e.g., mRNA) is fully encapsulated in the lipid nanoparticle.

As used herein, the term “aqueous solution” refers to a composition comprising water.

“Serum-stable” in relation to nucleic acid-lipid nanoparticles means that the nucleotide is not significantly degraded after exposure to a serum or nuclease assay that would significantly degrade free DNA or RNA. Suitable assays include, for example, a standard serum assay, a DNAse assay, or an RNAse assay.

“Systemic delivery,” as used herein, refers to delivery of a therapeutic product that can result in a broad exposure of an active agent within an organism. Some techniques of administration can lead to the systemic delivery of certain agents, but not others. Systemic delivery means that a useful, preferably therapeutic, amount of an agent is exposed to most parts of the body. Systemic delivery of lipid nanoparticles can be by any means known in the art including, for example, intravenous, intraarterial, subcutaneous, and intraperitoneal delivery. In some embodiments, systemic delivery of lipid nanoparticles is by intravenous delivery.

“Local delivery,” as used herein, refers to delivery of an active agent directly to a target site within an organism. For example, an agent can be locally delivered by direct injection into a disease site such as a tumor, other target site such as a site of inflammation, or a target organ such as the liver, heart, pancreas, kidney, and the like. Local delivery can also include topical applications or localized injection techniques such as intramuscular, subcutaneous or intradermal injection. Local delivery does not preclude a systemic pharmacological effect.

“Alkyl” refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain radical consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, which is saturated, having, for example, from one to twenty-four carbon atoms (C₁-C₂₄ alkyl), four to twenty-four carbon atoms (C₄-C₂₄ alkyl), four to twenty carbon atoms (C₄-C₂₀ alkyl), six to sixteen carbon atoms (C₆-C₁₆ alkyl), six to nine carbon atoms (C₆-C₉ alkyl), one to fifteen carbon atoms (C₁-C₁₅ alkyl), one to twelve carbon atoms (C₁-C₁₂ alkyl), one to eight carbon atoms (C₁-C₈ alkyl) or one to six carbon atoms (C₁-C₆ alkyl) and which is attached to the rest of the molecule by a single bond, e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, 1 methylethyl (iso propyl), n-butyl, n-pentyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl (t butyl), 3-methylhexyl, 2-methylhexyl, and the like. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, an alkyl group is optionally substituted.

“Alkenyl” refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain radical consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, which contains one or more carbon-carbon double bonds, and having, for example, from two to twenty-four carbon atoms (C₂-C₂₄ alkenyl), four to twenty-four carbon atoms (C₄-C₂₄ alkenyl), four to twenty carbon atoms (C₄-C₂₀ alkenyl), six to sixteen carbon atoms (C₆-C₁₆ alkenyl), six to nine carbon atoms (C₆-C₉ alkenyl), two to fifteen carbon atoms (C₂-C₁₅ alkenyl), two to twelve carbon atoms (C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl), two to eight carbon atoms (C₂-C₈ alkenyl) or two to six carbon atoms (C₂-C₆ alkenyl) and which is attached to the rest of the molecule by a single bond, e.g., ethenyl, prop-1-enyl, but-1-enyl, pent-1-enyl, penta-1,4-dienyl, and the like. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, an alkenyl group is optionally substituted.

“Alkylene” or “alkylene chain” refers to a straight or branched divalent hydrocarbon chain linking the rest of the molecule to a radical group, consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen, which is saturated, and having, for example, from one to twenty-four carbon atoms (C₁-C₂₄ alkylene), one to fifteen carbon atoms (C₁-C₁₅ alkylene), one to twelve carbon atoms (C₁-C₁₂ alkylene), two to twelve carbon atoms (C₂-C₁₂ alkylene), one to eight carbon atoms (C₁-C₈ alkylene), one to six carbon atoms (C₁-C₆ alkylene), two to four carbon atoms (C₂-C₄ alkylene), one to two carbon atoms (C₁-C₂ alkylene), e.g., methylene, ethylene, propylene, n-butylene, and the like. The alkylene chain is attached to the rest of the molecule through a single bond and to the radical group through a single bond. The points of attachment of the alkylene chain to the rest of the molecule and to the radical group can be through one carbon or any two carbons within the chain. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, an alkylene chain may be optionally substituted.

“Alkenylene” or “alkenylene chain” refers to a straight or branched divalent hydrocarbon chain linking the rest of the molecule to a radical group, consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen, which contains one or more carbon-carbon double bonds, and having, for example, from two to twenty-four carbon atoms (C₂-C₂₄ alkenylene), two to fifteen carbon atoms (C₂-C₁₅ alkenylene), two to twelve carbon atoms (C₂-C₁₂ alkenylene), two to eight carbon atoms (C₂-C₈ alkenylene), two to six carbon atoms (C₂-C₆ alkenylene) or two to four carbon atoms (C₂-C₄ alkenylene), e.g., ethenylene, propenylene, n-butenylene, and the like. The alkenylene chain is attached to the rest of the molecule through a single or double bond and to the radical group through a single or double bond. The points of attachment of the alkenylene chain to the rest of the molecule and to the radical group can be through one carbon or any two carbons within the chain. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, an alkenylene chain may be optionally substituted.

“Heteroalkylene” refers to as an alkylene as defined herein, wherein one or more carbon-carbon bonds within the alkylene is replaced with a carbon-heteroatom-carbon bond. Heteroatoms include oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorous and the like. Heteroalkylenes include, for example, from one to twenty-four carbon atoms (C₁-C₂₄ heteroalkylene), two to twenty-four carbon atoms (C₂-C₂₄ heteroalkylene), one to fifteen carbon atoms (C₁-C₁₅ heteroalkylene), one to twelve carbon atoms (C₁-C₁₂ heteroalkylene), two to twelve carbon atoms (C₂-C₁₂ heteroalkylene), one to eight carbon atoms (C₁-C₈ heteroalkylene), one to six carbon atoms (C₁-C₆ heteroalkylene), two to four carbon atoms (C₂-C₄ heteroalkylene) and one to two carbon atoms (C₁-C₂ heteroalkylene). The heteroalkylene chain is attached to the rest of the molecule through a single bond and to the radical group through a single bond. The points of attachment of the heteroalkylene chain to the rest of the molecule and to the radical group can be through one carbon or any two carbons within the chain. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a heteroalkylene chain may be optionally substituted.

“Heteroalkylenylene” refers to as an alkenylene as defined herein, wherein one or more carbon-carbon bonds within the alkenylene is replaced with a carbon-heteroatom-carbon bond. Heteroatoms include oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorous and the like. Heteroalkylenylenes include, for example, from one to twenty-four carbon atoms (C₁-C₂₄ heteroalkylenylene), two to twenty-four carbon atoms (C₂-C₂₄ heteroalkylenylene), one to fifteen carbon atoms (C₁-C₁₅ heteroalkylenylene), one to twelve carbon atoms (C₁-C₁₂ heteroalkylenylene), two to twelve carbon atoms (C₂-C₁₂ heteroalkylenylene), one to eight carbon atoms (C₁-C₈ heteroalkylenylene), one to six carbon atoms (C₁-C₆ heteroalkylenylene), two to four carbon atoms (C₂-C₄ heteroalkylenylene), one to two carbon atoms (C₁-C₂ heteroalkylenylene), and the like. The heteroalkylenylene chain is attached to the rest of the molecule through a single bond and to the radical group through a single bond. The points of attachment of the heteroalkylenylene chain to the rest of the molecule and to the radical group can be through one carbon or any two carbons within the chain. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a heteroalkylenylene chain is optionally substituted.

“Alkyleneoxide” refers to as a heteroalkylene as defined herein, wherein at least one heteroatom is oxygen. Alkyleneoxides include, for example, from one to twenty-four carbon atoms (C₁-C₂₄ alkyleneoxide), two to twenty-four carbon atoms (C₂-C₂₄ alkyleneoxide), one to fifteen carbon atoms (C₁-C₁₅ alkyleneoxide), one to twelve carbon atoms (C₁-C₁₂ alkyleneoxide), two to twelve carbon atoms (C₂-C₁₂ alkyleneoxide), one to eight carbon atoms (C₁-C₈ alkyleneoxide), one to six carbon atoms (C₁-C₆ alkyleneoxide), two to four carbon atoms (C₂-C₄ alkyleneoxide), one to two carbon atoms (C₁-C₂ alkyleneoxide), e.g., methyleneoxide, ethyleneoxide, propyleneoxide, and the like. Polyethylene oxides, wherein the alkylene chain includes at least two carbon-oxygen-carbon bonds are included within the scope of alkylene oxide. The alkyleneoxide chain is attached to the rest of the molecule through a single bond and to the radical group through a single bond. The points of attachment of the alkyleneoxide chain to the rest of the molecule and to the radical group can be through one carbon or any two carbons within the chain. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, an alkyleneoxide chain may be optionally substituted.

“Alkylenyleneoxide” refers to as a heteroalkenylene as defined herein, wherein at least one heteroatom is oxygen. Alkenylene oxides include, for example, from one to twenty-four carbon atoms (C₁-C₂₄ alkenyleneoxide), two to twenty-four carbon atoms (C₂-C₂₄ alkenyleneoxide), one to fifteen carbon atoms (C₁-C₁₅ alkenyleneoxide), one to twelve carbon atoms (C₁-C₁₂ alkenyleneoxide), two to twelve carbon atoms (C₂-C₁₂ alkenyleneoxide), one to eight carbon atoms (C₁-C₈ alkenyleneoxide), one to six carbon atoms (C₁-C₆ alkenyleneoxide), two to four carbon atoms (C₂-C₄ alkenyleneoxide), one to two carbon atoms (C₁-C₂ alkenyleneoxide), and the like. Polyethenylene oxides, wherein the alkenylene chain includes at least two carbon-oxygen-carbon bonds are included within the scope of alkylene oxide. The alkenyleneoxide chain is attached to the rest of the molecule through a single bond and to the radical group through a single bond. The points of attachment of the alkenyleneoxide chain to the rest of the molecule and to the radical group can be through one carbon or any two carbons within the chain. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, an alkenyleneoxide chain may be optionally substituted.

“Alkyleneaminyl” refers to as a heteroalkylene as defined herein, wherein at least one heteroatom is nitrogen. In some embodiments, the nitrogen atom is substituted with H or optionally substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl. Optional substituents include those described below, such as amidyl or ester substituents. Alkyleneaminyls include, for example, from one to twenty-four carbon atoms (C₁-C₂₄ alkyleneaminyl), two to twenty-four carbon atoms (C₂-C₂₄ alkyleneaminyl), one to fifteen carbon atoms (C₁-C₁₅ alkyleneaminyl), one to twelve carbon atoms (C₁-C₁₂ alkyleneaminyl), two to twelve carbon atoms (C₂-C₁₂ alkyleneaminyl), one to eight carbon atoms (C₁-C₈ alkyleneaminyl), one to six carbon atoms (C₁-C₆ alkyleneaminyl), two to four carbon atoms (C₂-C₄ alkyleneaminyl), one to two carbon atoms (C₁-C₂ alkyleneaminyl). The points of attachment of the alkyleneaminyl chain to the rest of the molecule and to the radical group can be through one carbon or any two carbons within the chain. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, an alkyleneaminyl chain may be optionally substituted.

“Alkylenyleneaminyl” refers to as a heteroalkenylene as defined herein, wherein at least one heteroatom is nitrogen. In some embodiments, the nitrogen atom is substituted with H or optionally substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl. Optional substituents include those described below, such as amidyl or ester substituents. Alkenyleneaminyls include, for example, from one to twenty-four carbon atoms (C₁-C₂₄ alkenyleneaminyl), two to twenty-four carbon atoms (C₂-C₂₄ alkenyleneaminyl), one to fifteen carbon atoms (C₁-C₁₅ alkenyleneaminyl), one to twelve carbon atoms (C₁-C₁₂ alkenyleneaminyl), two to twelve carbon atoms (C₂-C₁₂ alkenyleneaminyl), one to eight carbon atoms (C₁-C₈ alkenyleneaminyl), one to six carbon atoms (C₁-C₆ alkenyleneaminyl), two to four carbon atoms (C₂-C₄ alkenyleneaminyl), one to two carbon atoms (C₁-C₂ alkenyleneaminyl), and the like. The alkenyleneaminyl chain is attached to the rest of the molecule through a single bond and to the radical group through a single bond. The points of attachment of the alkenyleneaminyl chain to the rest of the molecule and to the radical group can be through one carbon or any two carbons within the chain. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a alkenyleneaminyl chain may be optionally substituted.

The term “substituted” used herein means any of the above groups (e.g. alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkylene, alkenylene, heteroalkylene, heteroalkenylene, alkyleneaminyl, alkenyleneaminyl, alkyleneoxide and alkenyleneoxide) wherein at least one hydrogen atom is replaced by a bond to a non-hydrogen atom such as, but not limited to: a halogen atom such as F, Cl, Br, or I; oxo groups (═O); hydroxyl groups (—OH); C₁-C₁₂ alkyl groups; cycloalkyl groups; —(C═O)OR′; —O(C═O)R′; —C(═O)R′; —OR′; —S(O)_(x)R′; —S—SR′; —C(═O)SR′; —SC(═O)R′; —NR′R′; —NR′C(═O)R′; —C(═O)NR′R′; —NR′C(═O)NR′R′; —OC(═O)NR′R′; —NR′C(═O)OR′; —NR'S(O), NR′R′; —NR'S(O)_(x)R′; and —S(O)_(x)NR′R′, wherein: R′ is, at each occurrence, independently H, C₁-C₁₅ alkyl or cycloalkyl, and x is 0, 1 or 2. In some embodiments the substituent is a C₁-C₁₂ alkyl group. In other embodiments, the substituent is a cycloalkyl group. In other embodiments, the substituent is a halo group, such as fluoro. In other embodiments, the substituent is an oxo group. In other embodiments, the substituent is a hydroxyl group. In other embodiments, the substituent is an alkoxy group (—OR′). In other embodiments, the substituent is a carboxyl group. In other embodiments, the substituent is an amine group (—NR′R′).

“Optional” or “optionally” (e.g., optionally substituted) means that the subsequently described event of circumstances may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances in which it does not. For example, “optionally substituted alkyl” means that the alkyl radical may or may not be substituted and that the description includes both substituted alkyl radicals and alkyl radicals having no substitution.

“Prodrug” is meant to indicate a compound that may be converted under physiological conditions or by solvolysis to a biologically active compound of structure (I). Thus, the term “prodrug” refers to a metabolic precursor of a compound of structure (I) that is pharmaceutically acceptable. A prodrug may be inactive when administered to a subject in need thereof, but is converted in vivo to an active compound of structure (I). Prodrugs are typically rapidly transformed in vivo to yield the parent compound of structure (I), for example, by hydrolysis in blood. The prodrug compound often offers advantages of solubility, tissue compatibility or delayed release in a mammalian organism (see, Bundgard, H., Design of Prodrugs (1985), pp. 7-9, 21-24 (Elsevier, Amsterdam)). A discussion of prodrugs is provided in Higuchi, T., et al., A.C.S. Symposium Series, Vol. 14, and in Bioreversible Carriers in Drug Design, Ed. Edward B. Roche, American Pharmaceutical Association and Pergamon Press, 1987.

The term “prodrug” is also meant to include any covalently bonded carriers, which release the active compound of structure (I) in vivo when such prodrug is administered to a mammalian subject. Prodrugs of a compound of structure (I) may be prepared by modifying functional groups present in the compound of structure (I) in such a way that the modifications are cleaved, either in routine manipulation or in vivo, to the parent compound of structure (I). Prodrugs include compounds of structure (I) wherein a hydroxy, amino or mercapto group is bonded to any group that, when the prodrug of the compound of structure (I) is administered to a mammalian subject, cleaves to form a free hydroxy, free amino or free mercapto group, respectively. Examples of prodrugs include, but are not limited to, acetate, formate and benzoate derivatives of alcohol or amide derivatives of amine functional groups in the compounds of structure (I) and the like.

Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are also meant to encompass all pharmaceutically acceptable compounds of the compound of structure (I) being isotopically-labelled by having one or more atoms replaced by an atom having a different atomic mass or mass number. Examples of isotopes that can be incorporated into the disclosed compounds include isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous, fluorine, chlorine, and iodine, such as ²H, ³H, ¹¹C, ¹³C, ¹⁴C, ¹³N, ¹⁵N, ¹⁵O, ¹⁷O, ¹⁸O, ³¹P, ³²P, ³⁵S, ¹⁸F, ³⁶Cl, ¹²³I, and ¹²⁵I, respectively. These radiolabeled compounds could be useful to help determine or measure the effectiveness of the compounds, by characterizing, for example, the site or mode of action, or binding affinity to pharmacologically important site of action. Certain isotopically-labelled compounds of structure (I) or (II), for example, those incorporating a radioactive isotope, are useful in drug and/or substrate tissue distribution studies. The radioactive isotopes tritium, i.e., ³H, and carbon-14, i.e., ¹⁴C, are particularly useful for this purpose in view of their ease of incorporation and ready means of detection.

Substitution with heavier isotopes such as deuterium, i.e., ²H, may afford certain therapeutic advantages resulting from greater metabolic stability, for example, increased in vivo half-life or reduced dosage requirements, and hence may be preferred in some circumstances.

Substitution with positron emitting isotopes, such as ¹¹C, ¹⁸F, ¹⁵O and ¹³N, can be useful in Positron Emission Topography (PET) studies for examining substrate receptor occupancy. Isotopically-labeled compounds of structure (I) can generally be prepared by conventional techniques known to those skilled in the art or by processes analogous to those described in the Preparations and Examples as set out below using an appropriate isotopically-labeled reagent in place of the non-labeled reagent previously employed.

Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are also meant to encompass the in vivo metabolic products of the disclosed compounds. Such products may result from, for example, the oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, amidation, esterification, and the like of the administered compound, primarily due to enzymatic processes. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention include compounds produced by a process comprising administering a compound of this invention to a mammal for a period of time sufficient to yield a metabolic product thereof. Such products are typically identified by administering a radiolabeled compound of structure (I) in a detectable dose to an animal, such as rat, mouse, guinea pig, monkey, or to human, allowing sufficient time for metabolism to occur, and isolating its conversion products from the urine, blood or other biological samples.

“Stable compound” and “stable structure” are meant to indicate a compound that is sufficiently robust to survive isolation to a useful degree of purity from a reaction mixture, and formulation into an efficacious therapeutic agent.

“Mammal” includes humans and both domestic animals such as laboratory animals and household pets (e.g., cats, dogs, swine, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, rabbits), and non-domestic animals such as wildlife and the like.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient” includes without limitation any adjuvant, carrier, excipient, glidant, sweetening agent, diluent, preservative, dye/colorant, flavor enhancer, surfactant, wetting agent, dispersing agent, suspending agent, stabilizer, isotonic agent, solvent, or emulsifier which has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration as being acceptable for use in humans or domestic animals.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable salt” includes both acid and base addition salts.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt” refers to those salts which retain the biological effectiveness and properties of the free bases, which are not biologically or otherwise undesirable, and which are formed with inorganic acids such as, but are not limited to, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid and the like, and organic acids such as, but not limited to, acetic acid, 2,2-dichloroacetic acid, adipic acid, alginic acid, ascorbic acid, aspartic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, benzoic acid, 4-acetamidobenzoic acid, camphoric acid, camphor-10-sulfonic acid, capric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, carbonic acid, cinnamic acid, citric acid, cyclamic acid, dodecylsulfuric acid, ethane-1,2-disulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, formic acid, fumaric acid, galactaric acid, gentisic acid, glucoheptonic acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, glutamic acid, glutaric acid, 2-oxo-glutaric acid, glycerophosphoric acid, glycolic acid, hippuric acid, isobutyric acid, lactic acid, lactobionic acid, lauric acid, maleic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, mucic acid, naphthalene-1,5-disulfonic acid, naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, nicotinic acid, oleic acid, orotic acid, oxalic acid, palmitic acid, pamoic acid, propionic acid, pyroglutamic acid, pyruvic acid, salicylic acid, 4-aminosalicylic acid, sebacic acid, stearic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, thiocyanic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, undecylenic acid, and the like.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable base addition salt” refers to those salts which retain the biological effectiveness and properties of the free acids, which are not biologically or otherwise undesirable. These salts are prepared from addition of an inorganic base or an organic base to the free acid. Salts derived from inorganic bases include, but are not limited to, the sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, aluminum salts and the like. Preferred inorganic salts are the ammonium, sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium salts. Salts derived from organic bases include, but are not limited to, salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines, cyclic amines and basic ion exchange resins, such as ammonia, isopropylamine, trimethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, diethanolamine, ethanolamine, deanol, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, 2-diethylaminoethanol, dicyclohexylamine, lysine, arginine, histidine, caffeine, procaine, hydrabamine, choline, betaine, benethamine, benzathine, ethylenediamine, glucosamine, methylglucamine, theobromine, triethanolamine, tromethamine, purines, piperazine, piperidine, N-ethylpiperidine, polyamine resins and the like. Particularly preferred organic bases are isopropylamine, diethylamine, ethanolamine, trimethylamine, dicyclohexylamine, choline and caffeine.

Often crystallizations produce a solvate of the compound of structure (I). As used herein, the term “solvate” refers to an aggregate that comprises one or more molecules of a compound of structure (I) with one or more molecules of solvent. The solvent may be water, in which case the solvate may be a hydrate. Alternatively, the solvent may be an organic solvent. Thus, the compounds of the present invention may exist as a hydrate, including a monohydrate, dihydrate, hemihydrate, sesquihydrate, trihydrate, tetrahydrate and the like, as well as the corresponding solvated forms. In some embodiments, the compound of structure (I) may exist as a true solvate, while in other cases, the compound of structure (I) may merely retain adventitious water or be a mixture of water plus some adventitious solvent.

A “pharmaceutical composition” refers to a formulation of a compound of structure (I) and a medium generally accepted in the art for the delivery of the biologically active compound to mammals, e.g., humans. Such a medium includes all pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents or excipients therefor.

“Effective amount” or “therapeutically effective amount” refers to that amount of a compound of structure (I) which, when administered to a mammal, preferably a human, is sufficient to effect treatment in the mammal, preferably a human. The amount of a lipid nanoparticle of embodiments the invention which constitutes a “therapeutically effective amount” will vary depending on the compound, the condition and its severity, the manner of administration, and the age of the mammal to be treated, but can be determined routinely by one of ordinary skill in the art having regard to his own knowledge and to this disclosure.

“Treating” or “treatment” as used herein covers the treatment of the disease or condition of interest in a mammal, preferably a human, having the disease or condition of interest, and includes:

(i) preventing the disease or condition from occurring in a mammal, in particular, when such mammal is predisposed to the condition but has not yet been diagnosed as having it;

(ii) inhibiting the disease or condition, i.e., arresting its development;

(iii) relieving the disease or condition, i.e., causing regression of the disease or condition; or

(iv) relieving the symptoms resulting from the disease or condition, i.e., relieving pain without addressing the underlying disease or condition. As used herein, the terms “disease” and “condition” may be used interchangeably or may be different in that the particular malady or condition may not have a known causative agent (so that etiology has not yet been worked out) and it is therefore not yet recognized as a disease but only as an undesirable condition or syndrome, wherein a more or less specific set of symptoms have been identified by clinicians.

The compounds of structure (I), or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts may contain one or more asymmetric centers and may thus give rise to enantiomers, diastereomers, and other stereoisomeric forms that may be defined, in terms of absolute stereochemistry, as (R)- or (S)- or, as (D)- or (L)- for amino acids. Embodiments of the present invention are meant to include all such possible isomers, as well as their racemic and optically pure forms. Optically active (+) and (−), (R)- and (S)-, or (D)- and (L)-isomers may be prepared using chiral synthons or chiral reagents, or resolved using conventional techniques, for example, chromatography and fractional crystallization. Conventional techniques for the preparation/isolation of individual enantiomers include chiral synthesis from a suitable optically pure precursor or resolution of the racemate (or the racemate of a salt or derivative) using, for example, chiral high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). When the compounds described herein contain olefinic double bonds or other centers of geometric asymmetry, and unless specified otherwise, it is intended that the compounds include both E and Z geometric isomers. Likewise, all tautomeric forms are also intended to be included.

A “stereoisomer” refers to a compound made up of the same atoms bonded by the same bonds but having different three-dimensional structures, which are not interchangeable. The present invention contemplates various stereoisomers and mixtures thereof and includes “enantiomers”, which refers to two stereoisomers whose molecules are nonsuperimposable mirror images of one another.

A “tautomer” refers to a proton shift from one atom of a molecule to another atom of the same molecule. The present invention includes tautomers of any said compounds.

Compounds

In an aspect, the invention provides novel lipid compounds which are capable of combining with other lipid components such as neutral lipids, charged lipids, steroids and/or polymer conjugated-lipids to form lipid nanoparticles with oligonucleotides. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is thought that these lipid nanoparticles shield oligonucleotides from degradation in the serum and provide for effective delivery of oligonucleotides to cells in vitro and in vivo.

In one embodiment, the compounds have the following structure (I):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug or stereoisomer thereof, wherein:

X and X′ are each independently N or CR;

Y and Y′ are each independently absent, —O(C═O)—, —(C═O)O— or NR, provided that:

-   -   a) Y is absent when X is N;     -   b) Y′ is absent when X′ is N;     -   c) Y is —O(C═O)—, —(C═O)O— or NR when X is CR; and     -   d) Y′ is —O(C═O)—, —(C═O)O— or NR when X′ is CR,

L¹ and L^(1′) are each independently —O(C═O)R¹, —(C═O)OR¹, —C(═O)R¹, —OR¹, —S(O)_(z)R¹, —S—SR¹, —C(═O)SR¹, —SC(═O)R¹, —NR^(a)C(═O)R¹, —C(═O)NR^(b)R^(c), —NR^(a)C(═O)NR^(b)R^(c), —OC(═O)NR^(b)R^(c) or —NR^(a)C(═O)OR¹;

L² and L^(2′) are each independently —O(C═O)R², —(C═O)OR², —C(═O)R², —OR², —S(O)_(z)R², —S—SR², —C(═O)SR², —SC(═O)R², —NR^(d)C(═O)R², —C(═O)NR^(e)R^(f), —NR^(d)C(═O)NR^(e)R^(f), —OC(═O)NR^(e)R^(f); —NR^(d)C(═O)OR² or a direct bond to R²;

G¹, G^(1′), G² and G^(2′) are each independently C₂-C₁₂ alkylene or C₂-C₁₂ alkenylene;

G³ is C₂-C₂₄ heteroalkylene or C₂-C₂₄ heteroalkenylene;

R^(a), R^(b), R^(d) and R^(e) are, at each occurrence, independently H, C₁-C₁₂ alkyl or C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl;

R^(e) and R^(f) are, at each occurrence, independently C₁-C₁₂ alkyl or C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl;

R is, at each occurrence, independently H or C₁-C₁₂ alkyl;

R¹ and R² are, at each occurrence, independently branched C₆-C₂₄ alkyl or branched C₆-C₂₄ alkenyl;

z is 0, 1 or 2, and

wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkylene, alkenylene, heteroalkylene and heteroalkenylene is independently substituted or unsubstituted unless otherwise specified.

In other different embodiments of structure (I):

X and X′ are each independently N or CR;

Y and Y′ are each independently absent or NR, provided that:

-   -   a) Y is absent when X is N;     -   b) Y′ is absent when X′ is N;     -   c) Y is NR when X is CR; and     -   d) Y′ is NR when X′ is CR,

L¹ and L^(1′) are each independently —O(C═O)R¹, —(C═O)OR¹, —C(═O)R¹, —OR¹, —S(O)_(z)R¹, —S—SR¹, —C(═O)SR¹, —SC(═O)R¹, —NR^(a)C(═O)R¹, —C(═O)NR^(b)R^(c), —NR^(a)C(═O)NR^(b)R^(c), —OC(═O)NR^(b)R^(c) or —NR^(a)C(═O)OR¹;

L² and L^(2′) are each independently —O(C═O)R², —(C═O)OR², —C(═O)R², —OR², —S(O)_(z)R², —S—SR², —C(═O)SR², —SC(═O)R², —NR^(d)C(═O)R², —C(═O)NR^(e)R^(f), —NR^(d)C(═O)NR^(e)R^(f), —OC(═O)NR^(e)R^(f); —NR^(d)C(═O)OR² or a direct bond to R²;

G¹, G^(1′), G² and G^(2′) are each independently C₂-C₁₂ alkylene or C₂-C₁₂ alkenylene;

G³ is C₂-C₂₄ alkyleneoxide or C₂-C₂₄ alkenyleneoxide;

R^(a), R^(b), R^(d) and R^(e) are, at each occurrence, independently H, C₁-C₁₂ alkyl or C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl;

R^(e) and R^(f) are, at each occurrence, independently C₁-C₁₂ alkyl or C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl;

R is, at each occurrence, independently H or C₁-C₁₂ alkyl;

R¹ and R² are, at each occurrence, independently branched C₆-C₂₄ alkyl or branched C₆-C₂₄ alkenyl;

z is 0, 1 or 2, and

wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkylene, alkenylene, alkyleneoxide and alkenyleneoxide is independently substituted or unsubstituted unless otherwise specified.

In some embodiments, G³ is C₂-C₂₄ alkyleneoxide or C₂-C₂₄ alkenyleneoxide. In certain embodiments, G³ is unsubstituted. In other embodiments, G³ is substituted, for example substituted with hydroxyl. In more specific embodiments G³ is C₂-C₁₂ alkyleneoxide, for example, in some embodiments G³ is C₃-C₇ alkyleneoxide or in other embodiments G³ is C₃-C₁₂ alkyleneoxide.

In other embodiments, G³ is C₂-C₂₄ alkyleneaminyl or C₂-C₂₄ alkenyleneaminyl, for example C₆-C₁₂ alkyleneaminyl. In some of these embodiments, G³ is unsubstituted. In other of these embodiments, G³ is substituted with C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In some embodiments, X and X′ are each N, and Y and Y′ are each absent. In other embodiments, X and X′ are each CR, and Y and Y′ are each NR. In some of these embodiments, R is H.

In certain embodiments, X and X′ are each CR, and Y and Y′ are each independently —O(C—O)— or —(C═O)O—.

In some of the foregoing embodiments, the compound has one of the following structures (IA), (IB), (IC), (ID), (IE), (IF), (IG) or (IH):

wherein R^(d) is, at each occurrence, independently H or optionally substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl. For example, in some embodiments R^(d) is H. In other embodiments, R^(d) is C₁-C₆ alkyl, such as methyl. In other embodiments, R^(d) is substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, such as C₁-C₆ alkyl substituted with —O(C═O)R, —(C═O)OR, —NRC(═O)R or —C(═O)N(R)₂, wherein R is, at each occurrence, independently H or C₁-C₁₂ alkyl.

In some of the foregoing embodiments, L¹ and L^(1′) are each independently —O(C═O)R¹, —(C═O)OR¹ or —C(═O)NR^(b)R^(c), and L² and L^(2′) are each independently —O(C═O)R², —(C═O)OR² or —C(═O)NR^(e)R^(f). For example, in some embodiments L¹ and L^(1′) are each —(C═O)OR¹, and L² and L^(2′) are each —(C═O)OR². In other embodiments L¹ and L^(1′) are each —(C═O)OR¹, and L² and L^(2′) are each —C(═O)NR^(e)R^(f). In other embodiments L¹ and L^(1′) are each —C(═O)NR^(b)R^(c), and L² and L^(2′) are each —C(═O)NR^(e)R^(f).

In some embodiments of the foregoing, G¹, G^(1′), G² and G^(2′) are each independently C₂-C₈ alkylene, for example C₄-C₈ alkylene.

In some of the foregoing embodiments, R¹ or R², are each, at each occurrence, independently branched C₆-C₂₄ alkyl. For example, in some embodiments, R¹ and R² at each occurrence, independently have the following structure:

wherein:

R^(7a) and R^(7b) are, at each occurrence, independently H or C₁-C₁₂ alkyl; and

a is an integer from 2 to 12,

wherein R^(7a), R^(7b) and a are each selected such that R¹ and R² each independently comprise from 6 to 20 carbon atoms. For example, in some embodiments a is an integer ranging from 5 to 9 or from 8 to 12.

In some of the foregoing embodiments, at least one occurrence of R^(7a) is H. For example, in some embodiments, R^(7a) is H at each occurrence. In other different embodiments of the foregoing, at least one occurrence of R^(7b) is C₁-C₈ alkyl. For example, in some embodiments, C₁-C₈ alkyl is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl, n-hexyl or n-octyl.

In different embodiments, R¹ or R², or both, at each occurrence independently has one of the following structures:

In some of the foregoing embodiments, R^(b), R^(c), R^(e) and R^(f), when present, are each independently C₃-C₁₂ alkyl. For example, in some embodiments R^(b), R^(c), R^(e) and R^(f), when present, are n-hexyl and in other embodiments R^(b), R^(c), R^(e) and R^(f), when present, are n-octyl.

In various different embodiments, the compound has one of the structures set forth in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Representative Compounds No. Structure 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

The compounds in Table 1 were prepared and tested according to methods known in the art, for example those general methods described herein below.

It is understood that any embodiment of the compounds of structure (I), as set forth above, and any specific substituent and/or variable in the compound structure (I), as set forth above, may be independently combined with other embodiments and/or substituents and/or variables of compounds of structure (I) to form embodiments of the inventions not specifically set forth above. In addition, in the event that a list of substituents and/or variables is listed for any particular R group, L group, G group, or variables a, x, y, or z in a particular embodiment and/or claim, it is understood that each individual substituent and/or variable may be deleted from the particular embodiment and/or claim and that the remaining list of substituents and/or variables will be considered to be within the scope of embodiments of the invention.

It is understood that in the present description, combinations of substituents and/or variables of the depicted formulae are permissible only if such contributions result in stable compounds.

In some embodiments, compositions comprising any one or more of the compounds of structure (I) and a therapeutic agent are provided. In some embodiments are provided a lipid nanoparticle comprising one or more compounds of structure (I). For example, in some embodiments, the compositions comprise any of the compounds of structure (I) and a therapeutic agent and one or more excipient selected from neutral lipids, steroids and polymer conjugated lipids. Other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients and/or carriers are also included in various embodiments of the compositions.

In some embodiments, the neutral lipid is selected from DSPC, DPPC, DMPC, DOPC, POPC, DOPE and SM. In some embodiments, the neutral lipid is DSPC. In various embodiments, the molar ratio of the compound to the neutral lipid ranges from about 2:1 to about 8:1.

In various embodiments, the compositions further comprise a steroid or steroid analogue. In certain embodiments, the steroid or steroid analogue is cholesterol. In some of these embodiments, the molar ratio of the compound to cholesterol ranges from about 5:1 to 1:1.

In various embodiments, the polymer conjugated lipid is a pegylated lipid. For example, some embodiments include a pegylated diacylglycerol (PEG-DAG) such as 1-(monomethoxy-polyethyleneglycol)-2,3-dimyristoylglycerol (PEG-DMG), a pegylated phosphatidylethanoloamine (PEG-PE), a PEG succinate diacylglycerol (PEG-S-DAG) such as 4-O-(2′,3′-di(tetradecanoyloxy)propyl-1-O-(ω-methoxy(polyethoxy)ethyl)butanedioate (PEG-S-DMG), a pegylated ceramide (PEG-cer), or a PEG dialkoxypropylcarbamate such as ω-methoxy(polyethoxy)ethyl-N-(2,3-di(tetradecanoxy)propyl)carbamate or 2,3-di(tetradecanoxy)propyl-N-(ω-methoxy(polyethoxy)ethyl)carbamate. In various embodiments, the molar ratio of the compound to the pegylated lipid ranges from about 100:1 to about 20:1.

In some embodiments, the composition comprises a pegylated lipid having the following structure (II):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, wherein:

R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently a straight or branched, alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl containing from 10 to 30 carbon atoms, wherein the alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl is optionally interrupted by one or more ester bonds; and

w has a mean value ranging from 30 to 60.

In some embodiments, R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently straight alkyl containing from 12 to 16 carbon atoms. In some embodiments, w has a mean value ranging from 43 to 53. In other embodiments, the average w is about 45. In other different embodiments, the average w is about 49.

In some embodiments, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) comprising any one or more of the compounds of structure (I) and a therapeutic agent are provided. For example, in some embodiments, the LNPs comprise any of the compounds of structure (I) and a therapeutic agent and one or more excipient selected from neutral lipids, steroids and polymer conjugated lipids.

In some embodiments of the LNPs, the neutral lipid is selected from DSPC, DPPC, DMPC, DOPC, POPC, DOPE and SM. In some embodiments, the neutral lipid is DSPC. In various embodiments, the molar ratio of the compound to the neutral lipid ranges from about 2:1 to about 8:1.

In various embodiments of the LNPs, the compositions further comprise a steroid or steroid analogue. In certain embodiments, the steroid or steroid analogue is cholesterol. In some of these embodiments, the molar ratio of the compound to cholesterol ranges from about 5:1 to 1:1.

In various embodiments of the LNPs, the polymer conjugated lipid is a pegylated lipid. For example, some embodiments include a pegylated diacylglycerol (PEG-DAG) such as 1-(monomethoxy-polyethyleneglycol)-2,3-dimyristoylglycerol (PEG-DMG), a pegylated phosphatidylethanoloamine (PEG-PE), a PEG succinate diacylglycerol (PEG-S-DAG) such as 4-O-(2′,3′-di(tetradecanoyloxy)propyl-1-O-(ω-methoxy(polyethoxy)ethyl)butanedioate (PEG-S-DMG), a pegylated ceramide (PEG-cer), or a PEG dialkoxypropylcarbamate such as ω-methoxy(polyethoxy)ethyl-N-(2,3-di(tetradecanoxy)propyl)carbamate or 2,3-di(tetradecanoxy)propyl-N-(ω-methoxy(polyethoxy)ethyl)carbamate. In various embodiments, the molar ratio of the compound to the pegylated lipid ranges from about 100:1 to about 20:1.

In some embodiments, the LNPs comprise a pegylated lipid having the following structure (II):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, wherein:

R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently a straight or branched, alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl containing from 10 to 30 carbon atoms, wherein the alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl is optionally interrupted by one or more ester bonds; and

w has a mean value ranging from 30 to 60.

In some embodiments, R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently straight alkyl containing from 12 to 16 carbon atoms. In some embodiments, w has a mean value ranging from 43 to 53. In other embodiments, the average w is about 45. In other different embodiments, the average w is about 49.

Preparation methods for the above lipids, lipid nanoparticles and compositions are described herein below and/or analogous to those known in the art, for example, as disclosed in PCT Pub. No. WO 2015/199952, WO 2017/004143 and WO 2017/075531, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

In some embodiments of the foregoing composition, the therapeutic agent comprises a nucleic acid. For example, in some embodiments, the nucleic acid is selected from antisense and messenger RNA.

In other different embodiments, the invention is directed to a method for administering a therapeutic agent to a patient in need thereof, the method comprising preparing or providing any of the foregoing compositions and administering the composition to the patient

For the purposes of administration, the compounds of structure (I) (typically in the form of lipid nanoparticles in combination with a therapeutic agent) may be administered as a raw chemical or may be formulated as pharmaceutical compositions. Pharmaceutical compositions of embodiments of the present invention comprise a compound of structure (I) (e.g., as a component in an LNP) and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient. The compound of structure (I) is present in the composition in an amount which is effective to form a lipid nanoparticle and deliver the therapeutic agent, e.g., for treating a particular disease or condition of interest. Appropriate concentrations and dosages can be readily determined by one skilled in the art.

Administration of the compositions and/or LNPs of embodiments of the invention can be carried out via any of the accepted modes of administration of agents for serving similar utilities. The pharmaceutical compositions of embodiments of the invention may be formulated into preparations in solid, semi-solid, liquid or gaseous forms, such as tablets, capsules, powders, granules, ointments, solutions, suspensions, suppositories, injections, inhalants, gels, microspheres, and aerosols. Typical routes of administering such pharmaceutical compositions include, without limitation, oral, topical, transdermal, inhalation, peritoneal, sublingual, buccal, rectal, vaginal, and intranasal. The term peritoneal as used herein includes subcutaneous injections, intravenous, intramuscular, intradermal, intrasternal injection or infusion techniques. Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are formulated so as to allow the active ingredients contained therein to be bioavailable upon administration of the composition to a patient. Compositions that will be administered to a subject or patient take the form of one or more dosage units, where for example, a tablet may be a single dosage unit, and a container of a compound of structure (I) in aerosol form may hold a plurality of dosage units. Actual methods of preparing such dosage forms are known, or will be apparent, to those skilled in this art; for example, see Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 20th Edition (Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, 2000). The composition to be administered will, in any event, contain a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of structure (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for treatment of a disease or condition of interest in accordance with the teachings of embodiments of this invention.

A pharmaceutical composition of embodiments of the invention may be in the form of a solid or liquid. In one aspect, the carrier(s) are particulate, so that the compositions are, for example, in tablet or powder form. The carrier(s) may be liquid, with the compositions being, for example, oral syrup, injectable liquid or an aerosol, which is useful in, for example, inhalatory administration.

When intended for oral administration, the pharmaceutical composition is preferably in either solid or liquid form, where semi-solid, semi-liquid, suspension and gel forms are included within the forms considered herein as either solid or liquid.

As a solid composition for oral administration, the pharmaceutical composition may be formulated into a powder, granule, compressed tablet, pill, capsule, chewing gum, wafer or the like form. Such a solid composition will typically contain one or more inert diluents or edible carriers. In addition, one or more of the following may be present: binders such as carboxymethylcellulose, ethyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, gum tragacanth or gelatin; excipients such as starch, lactose or dextrins, disintegrating agents such as alginic acid, sodium alginate, Primogel, corn starch and the like; lubricants such as magnesium stearate or Sterotex; glidants such as colloidal silicon dioxide; sweetening agents such as sucrose or saccharin; a flavoring agent such as peppermint, methyl salicylate or orange flavoring; and a coloring agent.

When the pharmaceutical composition is in the form of a capsule, for example, a gelatin capsule, it may contain, in addition to materials of the above type, a liquid carrier such as polyethylene glycol or oil.

The pharmaceutical composition may be in the form of a liquid, for example, an elixir, syrup, solution, emulsion or suspension. The liquid may be for oral administration or for delivery by injection, as two examples. When intended for oral administration, preferred composition contain, in addition to the present compounds or LNPs, one or more of a sweetening agent, preservatives, dye/colorant and flavor enhancer. In a composition intended to be administered by injection, one or more of a surfactant, preservative, wetting agent, dispersing agent, suspending agent, buffer, stabilizer and isotonic agent may be included.

The liquid pharmaceutical compositions of embodiments of the invention, whether they be solutions, suspensions or other like form, may include one or more of the following adjuvants: sterile diluents such as water for injection, saline solution, preferably physiological saline, Ringer's solution, isotonic sodium chloride, fixed oils such as synthetic mono or diglycerides which may serve as the solvent or suspending medium, polyethylene glycols, glycerin, propylene glycol or other solvents; antibacterial agents such as benzyl alcohol or methyl paraben; antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite; chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; buffers such as acetates, citrates or phosphates and agents for the adjustment of tonicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose; agents to act as cryoprotectants such as sucrose or trehalose. The peritoneal preparation can be enclosed in ampoules, disposable syringes or multiple dose vials made of glass or plastic. Physiological saline is a preferred adjuvant. An injectable pharmaceutical composition is preferably sterile.

A liquid pharmaceutical composition of embodiments of the invention intended for either peritoneal or oral administration should contain an amount of a compound of structure (I) such that a suitable LNP will be obtained.

The pharmaceutical composition of embodiments of the invention may be intended for topical administration, in which case the carrier may suitably comprise a solution, emulsion, ointment or gel base. The base, for example, may comprise one or more of the following: petrolatum, lanolin, polyethylene glycols, bee wax, mineral oil, diluents such as water and alcohol, and emulsifiers and stabilizers. Thickening agents may be present in a pharmaceutical composition for topical administration. If intended for transdermal administration, the composition may include a transdermal patch or iontophoresis device.

The pharmaceutical composition of embodiments of the invention may be intended for rectal administration, in the form, for example, of a suppository, which will melt in the rectum and release the drug. The composition for rectal administration may contain an oleaginous base as a suitable nonirritating excipient. Such bases include, without limitation, lanolin, cocoa butter and polyethylene glycol.

The pharmaceutical composition of embodiments of the invention may include various materials, which modify the physical form of a solid or liquid dosage unit. For example, the composition may include materials that form a coating shell around the active ingredients. The materials that form the coating shell are typically inert, and may be selected from, for example, sugar, shellac, and other enteric coating agents. Alternatively, the active ingredients may be encased in a gelatin capsule.

The pharmaceutical composition of embodiments of the invention in solid or liquid form may include an agent that binds to the compound of structure (I) and thereby assists in the delivery of the compound. Suitable agents that may act in this capacity include a monoclonal or polyclonal antibody, or a protein.

The pharmaceutical composition of embodiments of the invention may consist of dosage units that can be administered as an aerosol. The term aerosol is used to denote a variety of systems ranging from those of colloidal nature to systems consisting of pressurized packages. Delivery may be by a liquefied or compressed gas or by a suitable pump system that dispenses the active ingredients. Aerosols of compounds of structure (I) may be delivered in single phase, bi-phasic, or tri-phasic systems in order to deliver the active ingredient(s). Delivery of the aerosol includes the necessary container, activators, valves, sub-containers, and the like, which together may form a kit. One skilled in the art, without undue experimentation may determine preferred aerosols.

The pharmaceutical compositions of embodiments of the invention may be prepared by methodology well known in the pharmaceutical art. For example, a pharmaceutical composition intended to be administered by injection can be prepared by combining the lipid nanoparticles of the invention with sterile, distilled water or other carrier so as to form a solution. A surfactant may be added to facilitate the formation of a homogeneous solution or suspension. Surfactants are compounds that non-covalently interact with the compound of structure (I) so as to facilitate dissolution or homogeneous suspension of the compound in the aqueous delivery system.

The compositions of embodiments of the invention, or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, are administered in a therapeutically effective amount, which will vary depending upon a variety of factors including the activity of the specific therapeutic agent employed; the metabolic stability and length of action of the therapeutic agent; the age, body weight, general health, sex, and diet of the patient; the mode and time of administration; the rate of excretion; the drug combination; the severity of the particular disorder or condition; and the subject undergoing therapy.

Compositions of embodiments of the invention may also be administered simultaneously with, prior to, or after administration of one or more other therapeutic agents. Such combination therapy includes administration of a single pharmaceutical dosage formulation of a composition of embodiments of the invention and one or more additional active agents, as well as administration of the composition of the invention and each active agent in its own separate pharmaceutical dosage formulation. For example, a composition of embodiments of the invention and the other active agent can be administered to the patient together in a single oral dosage composition such as a tablet or capsule, or each agent administered in separate oral dosage formulations. Where separate dosage formulations are used, the compounds of structure (I) and one or more additional active agents can be administered at essentially the same time, i.e., concurrently, or at separately staggered times, i.e., sequentially; combination therapy is understood to include all these regimens.

Preparation methods for the above compounds and compositions are described herein below and/or known in the art.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in the process described herein the functional groups of intermediate compounds may need to be protected by suitable protecting groups. Such functional groups include hydroxy, amino, mercapto and carboxylic acid. Suitable protecting groups for hydroxy include trialkylsilyl or diarylalkylsilyl (for example, t-butyldimethylsilyl, t-butyldiphenylsilyl or trimethylsilyl), tetrahydropyranyl, benzyl, and the like. Suitable protecting groups for amino, amidino and guanidino include t-butoxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, and the like. Suitable protecting groups for mercapto include —C(O)—R″ (where R″ is alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl), p-methoxybenzyl, trityl and the like. Suitable protecting groups for carboxylic acid include alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl esters. Protecting groups may be added or removed in accordance with standard techniques, which are known to one skilled in the art and as described herein. The use of protecting groups is described in detail in Green, T. W. and P. G. M. Wutz, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis (1999), 3rd Ed., Wiley. As one of skill in the art would appreciate, the protecting group may also be a polymer resin such as a Wang resin, Rink resin or a 2-chlorotrityl-chloride resin.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art, although such protected derivatives of compounds of this invention may not possess pharmacological activity as such, they may be administered to a mammal and thereafter metabolized in the body to form compounds of structure (I) which are pharmacologically active. Such derivatives may therefore be described as “prodrugs”. All prodrugs of compounds of structure (I) are included within the scope of embodiments of the invention.

Furthermore, all compounds of structure (I) which exist in free base or acid form can be converted to their pharmaceutically acceptable salts by treatment with the appropriate inorganic or organic base or acid by methods known to one skilled in the art. Salts of the compounds of structure (I) can be converted to their free base or acid form by standard techniques.

The compounds of structure (I), and lipid nanoparticles comprising the same, can be prepared according to methods known or derivable by one of ordinary skill in the art, for example by methods analogous to those disclosed in PCT Pub. No. WO 2015/199952, WO 2017/004143 and WO 2017/075531, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The following General Reaction Schemes illustrate exemplary methods to make compounds of structure (I):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, wherein G¹, G^(1′), G², G^(2′), G³, L¹, L^(1′), L², L^(2′), X, X′, Y and Y′ are as defined herein. It is understood that one skilled in the art may be able to make these compounds by similar methods or by combining other methods known to one skilled in the art. It is also understood that one skilled in the art would be able to make, in a similar manner as described below, other compounds of structure (I) not specifically illustrated below by using the appropriate starting components and modifying the parameters of the synthesis as needed. In general, starting components may be obtained from sources such as Sigma Aldrich, Lancaster Synthesis, Inc., Maybridge, Matrix Scientific, TCI, and Fluorochem USA, etc. or synthesized according to sources known to those skilled in the art (see, for example, Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms, and Structure, 5th edition (Wiley, December 2000)) or prepared as described in this invention.

Embodiments of the compound of structure (I) (e.g., compound A-5) can be prepared according to General Reaction Scheme 1 (“Method A”), wherein each R independently represents R¹ or R², and n is an integer from 2 to 12. Referring to General Reaction Scheme 1, compounds of structure A-1 can be purchased from commercial sources or prepared according to methods familiar to one of ordinary skill in the art. A mixture of A-1, A-2 and DMAP is treated with DCC to give the bromide A-3. A mixture of the bromide A-3, a base (e.g., N,N-diisopropylethylamine) and A-4 is heated at a temperature and time sufficient to produce A-5 after any necessarily workup and or purification step.

Embodiments of the compound of structure (I) (e.g., compound B-5) can be prepared according to General Reaction Scheme 2 (“Method B”), wherein each R independently represents R¹ or R², and n is an integer from 2 to 12. As shown in General Reaction Scheme 2, compounds of structure B-1 can be purchased from commercial sources or prepared according to methods familiar to one of ordinary skill in the art. A solution of B-1 (1 equivalent) is treated with acid chloride B-2 (1 equivalent) and a base (e.g., triethylamine). The crude product is treated with an oxidizing agent (e.g., pyridinium chlorochromate) and intermediate product B-3 is recovered. A solution of crude B-3, an acid (e.g., acetic acid), and A-4 is then treated with a reducing agent (e.g., sodium triacetoxyborohydride) to obtain B-5 after any necessary work up and/or purification.

It should be noted that although starting materials A-1 and B-1 are depicted above as including only saturated methylene carbons, starting materials which include carbon-carbon double bonds may also be employed for preparation of compounds which include carbon-carbon double bonds.

Embodiments of the compound of structure (I) can be prepared according to General Reaction Scheme 3 (“Method C”), wherein each G independently represents G¹, G^(1′), G² or G^(2′), and each L independently represents L¹, L^(1′), L² or L^(2′). Referring to General Reaction Scheme 1, compounds of structure A-4 and C-1 can be purchased from commercial sources or prepared according to methods familiar to one of ordinary skill in the art. A solution of A-4 and C-1 is treated with a reducing agent (e.g., sodium triacetoxyborohydride) to obtain a compound of structure (I) after any necessary work up.

It should be noted that various alternative strategies for preparation of compounds of structure (I) are available to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, some reagents may include a substituent, such as hydroxyl, and appropriate protecting groups may be required to mask the substituent, or the substituent may be added after at a different point in the synthesis. The use of protecting groups as needed and other modification to the above General Reaction Schemes 1-3 will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. The following examples are provided for purpose of illustration and not limitation.

Example 1 Luciferase mRNA In Vivo Evaluation Using Lipid Nanoparticle Compositions

A lipid of structure (I), DSPC, cholesterol and PEG-lipid were solubilized in ethanol at a molar ratio of 50:10:38.5:1.5 or 47.5:10:40.8:1.7. Lipid nanoparticles (LNP) were prepared at a total lipid to mRNA weight ratio of approximately 10:1 to 30:1. Briefly, the mRNA was diluted to 0.2 mg/mL in 10 to 50 mM citrate buffer, pH 4. Syringe pumps were used to mix the ethanolic lipid solution with the mRNA aqueous solution at a ratio of about 1:5 to 1:3 (vol/vol) with total flow rates above 15 mL/min. The ethanol was then removed and the external buffer replaced with PBS by dialysis. Finally, the lipid nanoparticles were filtered through a 0.2 μm pore sterile filter.

Studies were performed in 6-8 week old female C57BL/6 mice (Charles River) 8-10 week old CD-1 (Harlan) mice (Charles River) according to guidelines established by an institutional animal cwere committee (ACC) and the Canadian Council on Animal Cwere (CCAC). Varying doses of mRNA-lipid nanoparticle were systemically administered by tail vein injection and animals euthanized at a specific time point (e.g., 4 hours) post-administration. Liver and spleen were collected in pre-weighed tubes, weights determined, immediately snap frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80° C. until processing for analysis.

For liver, approximately 50 mg was dissected for analyses in a 2 mL FastPrep tubes (MP Biomedicals, Solon Ohio). ¼″ ceramic sphere (MP Biomedicals) was added to each tube and 500 μL of Glo Lysis Buffer—GLB (Promega, Madison Wis.) equilibrated to room temperature was added to liver tissue. Liver tissues were homogenized with the FastPrep24 instrument (MP Biomedicals) at 2×6.0 m/s for 15 seconds. Homogenate was incubated at room temperature for 5 minutes prior to a 1:4 dilution in GLB and assessed using SteadyGlo Luciferase assay system (Promega). Specifically, 50 μL of diluted twassue homogenate was reacted with 50 μL of SteadyGlo substrate, shaken for 10 seconds followed by 5 minute incubation and then quantitated using a CentroXS³ LB 960 luminometer (Berthold Technologies, Germany). The amount of protein assayed was determined by using the BCA protein assay kit (Pierce, Rockford, Ill.). Relative luminescence units (RLU) were then normalized to total μg protein assayed. To convert RLU to ng luciferase a standard curve was generated with QuantiLum Recombinant Luciferase (Promega).

The FLuc mRNA (L-6107) from Trilink Biotechnologies will express a luciferase protein, originally isolated from the firefly, Photinus pyralwas. FLuc was commonly used in mammalian cell culture to measure both gene expression and cell viability. It emits bioluminescence in the presence of the substrate, luciferin. This capped and polyadenylated mRNA was fully substituted with 5-methylcytidine and pseudouridine.

Example 2 Determination of pK_(A) of Formulated Lipids

As described elsewhere, the pKa of formulated lipids was correlated with the effectiveness of LNPs for delivery of nucleic acids (see Jayaraman et al, Angewandte Chemie, International Edition (2012), 51(34), 8529-8533; Semple et al, Nature Biotechnology 28, 172-176 (2010)). In some embodiments, the preferred range of pKa was ˜5 to ˜7. The pK_(a) of each lipid was determined in lipid nanoparticles using an assay based on fluorescence of 2-(p-toluidino)-6-napthalene sulfonic acid (TNS). Lipid nanoparticles comprising compound of structure (I)/DSPC/cholesterol/PEG-lipid (50/10/38.5/1.5 or 47.5:10:40.8:1.7 mol %) in PBS at a concentration of 0.4 mM total lipid were prepared using the in-line process as described in Example 1. TNS was prepared as a 100 μM stock solution in distilled water. Vesicles were diluted to 24 μM lipid in 2 mL of buffered solutions containing 10 mM HEPES, 10 mM MES, 10 mM ammonium acetate, and 130 mM NaCl, where the pH ranged from 2.5 to 11. An aliquot of the TNS solution was added to give a final concentration of 1 μM and following vortex mixing fluorescence intensity was measured at room temperature in a SLM Aminco Series 2 Luminescence Spectrophotometer using excitation and emission wavelengths of 321 nm and 445 nm. A sigmoidal best fit analysis was applied to the fluorescence data and the pK_(a) was measured as the pH giving rise to half-maximal fluorescence intensity.

Lipid nanoparticle particle size was approximately 55-95 nm diameter, and in some instances approximately 70-90 nm diameter as determined by quasi-elastic light scattering using a Malvern Zetasizer Nano ZS (Malvern, UK). The diameters given were intensity weighted means. Encapsulation was determined using a fluorescent intercalating dye based assay (Ribogreen).

Compounds of structure (I) were formulated using the following molar ratio: 47.5% cationic lipid/10% dwastearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC)/40.8% Cholesterol/1.7% PEG lipid (“PEG-DMA” 2-[2-(ω-methoxy(polyethyleneglycol₂₀₀₀)ethoxy]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide). Relative activity was determined by measuring luciferase expression in the liver 4 hours following administration via tail vein injection as described in Example 1. The activity was compared at a dose of 0.3 and 1.0 mg mRNA/kg and expressed as ng luciferase/g liver measured 4 hours after administration, as described in Example 1.

Using the above methods, the pKa of compound 2 was determined to be 6.14.

Relative activity in the luciferase assay for compound 2 was determined to be 4.4 relative to MC3.

Example 3 Determination of Efficacy of Lipid Nanoparticle Formulations Containing Various Cationic Lipids Using an In Vivo Luciferase mRNA Expression Rodent Model

The cationic lipids shown in Table 2 have previously been tested with nucleic acids. For comparative purposes, these lipids were also used to formulate lipid nanoparticles containing the FLuc mRNA (L-6107) using an in line mixing method, as described in Example 1 and in PCT/US10/22614, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Lipid nanoparticles may be formulated using the following molar ratio: 50% Cationic lipid/10% distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC)/38.5% Cholesterol/1.5% PEG lipid (“PEG-DMG”, i.e., 1-(monomethoxy-polyethyleneglycol)-2,3-dimyristoylglycerol, with an average PEG molecular weight of 2000). In alternate embodiments, cationic lipid, DSPC, cholesterol and PEG-lipid are formulated at a molar ratio of approximately 47.5:10:40.8:1.7. Relative activity was determined by measuring luciferase expression in the liver 4 hours following administration via tail vein injection as described in Example 1. The activity was compared at a dose of 0.3 and 1.0 mg mRNA/kg and expressed as ng luciferase/g liver measured 4 hours after administration, as described in Example 1.

TABLE 2 Comparator Lipids showing activity with mRNA Liver Luc Liver Luc @ 0.3 mg/kg @ 1.0 mg/kg Compound dose dose Structure MC2 4 ± 1 N/D

DLinDMA 13 ± 3  67 ± 20

MC4 41 ± 10 N/D

XTC2 80 ± 28 237 ± 99 

MC3 198 ± 126 757 ± 528

319 (2% PEG) 258 ± 67  681 ± 203

137 281 ± 203 588 ± 303

A 77 ± 40 203 ± 122

Representative compounds of the invention shown in Table 3 were formulated using the following molar ratio: 50% cationic lipid/10% distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC)/38.5% Cholesterol/1.5% PEG lipid (“PEG-DMA” 2-[2-(ω-methoxy(polyethyleneglycol₂₀₀₀)ethoxy]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide) or 47.5% cationic lipid/10% DSPC/40.8% Cholesterol/1.7% PEG lipid. Relative activity was determined by measuring luciferase expression in the liver 4 hours following administration via tail vein injection as described in Example 1. The activity was compared at a dose of 0.3 and 1.0 mg mRNA/kg unless noted otherwise and expressed as ng luciferase/g liver measured 4 hours after administration, as described in Example 1. Compound numbers in Table 3 refer to the compound numbers of Table 1.

TABLE 3 Novel Cationic Lipids and Associated Activity Liver Luc Liver Luc @ 0.3 mg/kg @ 1.0 mg/kg No. pKa (ng luc/g liver) (ng luc/g liver) Structure 1 6.18 n/a 174 ± 43*

2 6.14 1225 ± 159 4876 ± 1273

3 5.3 33 ± 9 99 ± 41

6 5.81  92 ± 13 169 ± 46 

7 5.91 590 ± 98 2473 ± 443 

8 6.53 n/a  479 ± 163*

*dosed at 0.5 mg/kg

Synthesis of 4-2

A solution of boron trifluoride diethyl etherate, (2.5 mmol, 355 mg, 0.31 mL) in dry DCM (10 mL) was added in a few minutes to a mixture of 4-1 (4.78 g, 25 mmol) and 1,3-butadiene diepoxide (12.5 mmol, 1.076 g, 0.97 mL) in dry DCM (20 mL) at RT under argon. The resulting mixture was stirred at RT overnight. The mixture was then heated to reflux for 3 days. More 1,3-butadiene diepoxide (0.4 mL) was added and heating was continued for another day. The reaction mixture was concentrated. The residue was used for next step without any purification.

Synthesis of 4-3

The crude 4-2 was taken up in DCM (90 mL). TFA (25 mL, MW114.02, d 1.48) was added at RT. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 h. Then the mixture was concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was taken up in a mixture of DCM and methanol (94:6, 100 mL) and then was loaded a silica gel pad (6.5 cm diameter and 2.5 cm high). The pad was eluted with a mixture of DCM and methanol (95:5 to 60:40). Fractions found to contain the desired product by TLC (CHCl₃/MeOH/NH4OH=2:2:1) were combined and concentrated to yield brown oil (4.5 g). The oil was dissolved in a mixture of ethanol (about 50 mL) and a 28% ammonia solution (6 mL). Concentration gave a brown oil (4.5 g). The oil was dissolved in a mixture of methanol and DCM (95:5, 100 mL) and then was loaded a silica gel pad (6.5 cm diameter and 2.5 cm high). The pad was eluted with a mixture of DCM/MeOH/con.NH3 (90:5:0.5 to 4:4:1). Fractions found to contain the desired product by TLC (CHCl₃/MeOH/NH4OH=2:2:1) were combined and concentrated to yield slightly yellow viscous oil (930 mg), which was used without further purification.

Synthesis of Compound 1

A mixture of 4-4 (512 mg; prepared from 8-bromooctanoic acid and 2-hexyl-1-decanol), 4-3 (930 mg) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.4 mL) in anhydrous acetonitrile (15 mL) was heated for 16 h in a sealed pressure flask at 80° C. for 2 days. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the crude product was purified by flash dry column chromatography on silica gel (hexane-EtOAc-Et₃N, 99:1:0 to 80:20:1). The product was further purified by flash dry column chromatography on silica gel (from 0% to 5% MeOH in chloroform). The desired compound was obtained as colorless oil (40 mg). ¹HNMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 3.97 (d, 5.8 Hz, 8H), 3.85-3.77 (br. 2H), 3.67-3.69 (m, 8H), 3.30-2.84 (br, 4H)), 2.84-2.33 (br, 10H), 2.30 (t, 7.5 Hz, 8H), 1.91-1.38 (28H), 1.38-1.18 (120H), 0.89 (t-like, 6.8 Hz, 24H).

Example 5

Synthesis of 5-1

A solution of BF3/OEt2 (0.6 mmol, 85 mg, 0.074 mL) in dry dichloromethane (10 mL) was added to a mixture of 3-bromo-1-propanol (3 eq., 17.4 mmol, 2.41 g, 1.57 mL), and 1,3-butadiene diepoxide (5.8 mmol, 500 mg, 0.52 mL) at −10° C. under argon. After the mixture was stirred at RT for 16 h, the mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue oil was used for the next step without further purification.

Synthesis of 5-2

Concentrated ammonium hydroxide solution (100 mL) was added to a round bottom flask containing 5-1. The resulting mixture was stirred for 24 hours at room temperature. The white solid formed was removed by filtration. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was taken up in isopropanol and was filtered to remove any solid. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue was taken up in a mixture of methanol and chloroform (4:1) and loaded on a thin pad of silica gel. The pad was eluted with a mixture of chloroform/methanol/conc.NH4OH (1:1:0 to 2:2:1). Fractions found to contain the desired product by TLC (CHCl₃/MeOH/NH4OH=2:2:1) were combined and concentrated to yield colorless viscous oil (119 mg), which was used without further purification.

Synthesis of Compound 2

A mixture of 4-4 (419 mg), 5-2 (119 mg), N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.17 mL) and anhydrous acetonitrile (15 mL) in a sealed pressure flask was heated for 2 days at 90° C. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the crude product was purified by flash dry column chromatography on silica gel (hexane-EtOAc-Et₃N, 99:1:0 to 80:20:1). The product was further purified by flash dry column chromatography on silica gel (from 0% to 5% MeOH in chloroform). The desired compound was obtained as colorless oil (99 mg, 0.062 mmol, 25%). ¹HNMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 3.97 (d, 5.8 Hz, 8H), 3.82-3.78 (br. 2H), 3.69-3.45 (m, 8H), 3.40-3.30 (br, 2H)), 2.51-2.43 (m, 4H), 2.43-2.35 (m, 8H), 2.31 (t, 7.5 Hz, 8H), 1.71 (quintet-like, 6.7 Hz, 4H), 1.68-1.59 (m, 12H), 1.49-1.39 (m, 8H), 1.37-1.18 (104H), 0.89 (t-like, 6.8 Hz, 24H).

Example 6

A mixture of 4-4 (440 mg, 1.05 mmol; prepared from 6-bromohexanoic acid and 2-hexyl-1-decanol), 4,7,10-Trioxa-1,13-tridecanediamine (0.3 mmol, 66.1 mg), N,N-diisopropylethylamine (1.05 mmol, 135 mg) and anhydrous acetonitrile (15 mL) in a sealed pressure flask was heated for 2 days at 75° C. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was taken up in hexane and was filtered through a thin pad of silica gel which was washed with a mixture of hexane/EtOAc/Et3N (80:20:1). The washing was concentrated to give the crude product. The crude product was further purified by flash dry column chromatography on silica gel (MeOH in chloroform, from 0% to 5%). This gave the desired product as a colorless oil (204 mg, 0.13 mmol, 50%). ¹HNMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 3.97 (d, 5.8 Hz, 8H), 3.66-3.63 (m, 4H), 3.60-3.56 (m, 4H), 3.47 (t, 6.6 Hz, 4H), 2.48-2.43 (m, 4H), 2.40-2.35 (m, 8H), 2.30 (t, 7.5 Hz, 8H), 1.71 (quintet-like, 7.0 Hz, 4H), 1.68-1.59 (m, 12H), 1.48-1.39 (m, 8H), 1.36-1.18 (m, 104H), 0.99 (t-like, 6.8 Hz, 24H).

Example 7

A mixture of 7-1 (2 eq, 400 mg, 0.56 mmol; prepared according to literature procedures) and 4,7,10-Trioxa-1,13-tridecanediamine (1 eq. 0.34 mmol, 75 mg) in DCE (10 mL) was stirred at RT under Ar for 15 min. To the solution was added sodium triacetoxyborohydride (2.5 eq., 0.84 mmol, 178 mg) and AcOH (2.3 eq., 0.78 mmol, 47 mg). The mixture was stirred at RT under a Ar atmosphere for 3 days. The reaction mixture was concentrated. The residue was diluted with hexanes-EtOAc (19:1, 150 mL) and washed with dilute NaOH, saturated NaHCO₃ solution and brine. The extract after dried over sodium sulfate was filtered through a pad of silica gel. The pad was washed with a mixture of Hexane and EtOAc (9:1). Then the pad was washed with a mixture of hexane/EtOAc/Et₃N (80:20:1). The hexane/EtOAc/Et₃N washing was concentrated to dryness, affording the desired product as a colorless oil (144 mg). The product (144 mg) was further purified by flash dry column chromatography on silica gel (MeOH in chloroform, 0 to 5%). This gave the desired product as a colorless oil (118 mg, 0.075 mmol, 22%). 1HNMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 3.97 (d, 5.8 Hz, 8H), 3.66-3.63 (m, 4H), 3.61-3.57 (m, 4H), 3.53 (t, 6.4 Hz, 4H), 2.63 (t, 7.0 Hz, 4H), 2.44 (quintet-like, 5.2 Hz, 2H), 2.31 (t, 7.5 Hz, 8H), 1.74 (quintet, 6.7 Hz, 4H), 1.68-1.58 (m, 12H), 1.58-1.50 (br. 5.7H, NH+water), 1.41-1.18 (120H), 0.89 (t-like, avg. 6.8 Hz, 24H). Using the methods described in Example 2, the pKa of this compound was determined to be 7.2.

Example 8

Synthesis of 8-2

N-methylbutane-1,4-diamine, (120 mg; prepared from 1,4-diaminobutane), N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.216 mL), 8-1 (1.65 mmol, 1.07 g; prepared according to the literature procedures), and acetonitrile (20 mL) were placed in a pressure bottom flask. The mixture was heated at 60° C. for 7 days. The mixture was cooled and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was taken up in hexanes/EtOAc (9:1) and was filtered through a thin pad of silica gel. The pad was washed with a mixture of hexane/EtOAc/Et₃N (80:20:1). The filtrate and washing were concentrated to dryness, affording the desired product as a yellow oil (500 mg). The oil (500 mg) was further purified by column chromatography on silica gel (MeOH in chloroform, from 0% to 5%). This gave the desired product as a colorless oil (385 mg, 0.31 mmol, 37%).

Synthesis of 8-3

To a dried flask containing 8-2 (385 mg, 0.31 mmol) in EtOH (15 mL) was added p-toluene sulfonic acid hydrate (0.71 mmol, 135 mg) at room temperature and stirred at RT for 16 h. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in DCM and washed with water and dilute NH4OH solution. The organic phase was separated, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. A slightly yellow viscous oil was obtained (165 mg). The oil was further purified by column chromatography on silica gel (MeOH in chloroform, 0 to 12%). This gave the desired product as a colorless oil (100 mg, 0.11 mmol, 35%).

Synthesis of Compound 5

DCC (1.21 mmol, 250 mg) was added to a solution of 2-hexyldecanoic acid (1.1 mmol, 282 mg), 8-3 (100 mg, 0.11 mmol) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) (1.21 mmol, 148 mg) in dichloromethane (15 mL). After being stirred for two days, 5 mL of MeOH was added and stirred for another 5 h to transfer the unreacted starting acid to methyl ester. The mixture was concentrated and the residue was taken up in a mixture of ethyl acetate and hexane, washed with water, brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated (589 mg). The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (MeOH in chloroform, from 0% to 2%). This gave the desired product as a cloudy oil (468 mg). The oil was further purified by flash dry column chromatography on silica gel (MeOH in chloroform, 0 to 2%). This gave the desired product as a colorless oil (16 mg). ¹HNMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 4.86 (quintet, 6.2 Hz, 2H), 4.07 (t, 6.7 Hz, 8H), 2.36-2.27 (m, 12H), 2.19 (s, 3H), 1.67-1.38 (m, 44H), 1.38-1.77 (132H), 0.91-0.86 (m, 24H). Using the methods described in Example 2, the pKa of this compound was determined to be 4.24.

Example 9

A mixture of N,N-di(3-aminopropyl)methylamine (0.925 mmol, 134 mg), 9-1 (1.478 g, 3.52 mmol; prepared from 6-bromohexanoic acid and 2-hexyl-1-decanol), potassium carbonate (3.52 mmol, 486 mg), cesium carbonate (0.56 mmol, 181 mg), sodium iodide (5 mg) and anhydrous THF (15 mL) in a pressure flask was heated at 70° C. for 6 days. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was taken in hexanes/ethyl acetate (90:10) and washed with water and brine. The organic layer was separated and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to yield a light yellow oil (1.4 g). The residue was taken up in hexanes and was filtered through a thin pad of silica gel. The pad was washed with a mixture of Hexane-EtOAc (93:3) to yield the unreacted 9-1 (197 mg colorless oil). The pad was further washed with a mixture of hexane/EtOAc/Et₃N (80:20:1). The washing was concentrated to dryness, affording the desired product as a slightly yellow oil (460 mg). The oil was further purified by column chromatography on silica gel (MeOH in chloroform, from 0% to 5%). This gave the desired product as a colorless oil (131 mg, 0.09 mmol, 10%). ¹HNMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 3.97 (d, 5.8 Hz, 8H), 2.66-2.28 (m, 24H), 2.21 (s, 3H), 1.69-1.54 (m, 16H), 1.49-1.39 (m, 8H), 1.37-1.15 (m, 104H), 0.89 (t-like, 6.8 Hz, 24H).

Example 10

Compound 7 (colorless oil, 192 mg, 0.15 mmol, 17%) was synthesized in a similar manner to that described for Compound 6. ¹HNMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 3.98 (d, 5.8 Hz, 8H), 2.43-2.36 (m, 12H), 2.31 (t, 7.5 Hz, 12H), 2.20 (s, 3H), 1.69-1.54 (m, 16H), 1.48-1.40 (m, 8H), 1.36-1.19 (m, 72H), 0.92-0.86 (m, 24H).

Example 11

Synthesis of 12-1

A solution of 7-1 (1 eq., 300 mg, 0.42 mmol) and 4,7,10-Trioxa-1,13-tridecanediamine (4 eq. 1.70 mmol, 373 mg) in DCE (20 mL) was stirred at RT under Ar for about 15 min. To the solution was added sodium triacetoxyborohydride (2 eq., 0.84 mmol, 178 mg) and AcOH (4 eq., 1.70 mmol, 102 mg). After the mixture was stirred at RT for 16 hours, more sodium triacetoxyborohydride (80 mg) was added. Stirring was continued for another day. The reaction mixture was concentrated. The residue was diluted with a mixture of hexanes and EtOAc (ca 19:1) and washed with dilute NaOH solution, saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, and brine. The organic extract (ca 200 mL) was dried over sodium sulfate. The dried extract was filtered through a pad of silica gel. First the pad was eluted with a mixture of hexane and EtOAc (95:5 to 90:10). Secondly the pad was washed a mixture of hexane/EtOAc/Et₃N (85:15:1). Finally, the pad was washed a mixture of chloroform/MeOH/conc. NH4OH (90:10: saturated). The chloroform/MeOH/NH4OH washing was concentrated to dryness, affording the desired product as a colorless oil (205 mg).

Synthesis of Compound 8

A mixture of 12-2 (0.44 mmol, 185 mg), 12-1 (200 mg, 0.22 mmol), N,N-diisopropylethylamine (2 equiv., 0.44 mmol, 57 mg, 0.077 mL) and anhydrous acetonitrile (10 mL) in a sealed pressure flask was heated at 74° C. for 2 days. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was taken in hexanes/ethyl acetate (90:10) and washed with water and brine. The organic layer was separated and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated under reduced to obtain light yellow oil (1.4 g). The residue was taken up in hexanes and was filtered through a thin pad of silica gel. The pad was washed with a mixture of hexane/EtOAc/Et₃N (80:20:1). The washing was concentrated to dryness, affording the desired product as a slightly yellow oil (200 mg). The oil was further purified by column chromatography on silica gel (MeOH in chloroform, from 0% to 5%). This gave the desired product as a colorless oil (106 mg, 0.07 mmol, 30%). 1HNMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) d: 3.97 (d, 5.8 Hz, 8H), 3.66-3.63 (m, 4H), 3.61-3.56 (m, 4H), 3.53 (t, 6.3 Hz, 2H), 3.47 (t, 6.6 Hz, 2H), 2.63 (t, 7.0 Hz, 2H), 2.49-2.41 (m, 3H), 2.38 (t-like, 7.3 Hz, 4H), 2.31 (t, 7.5 Hz, 8H), 1.80-1.68 (m, 4H), 1.68-1.58 (m, 12H), 1.58-1.50 (br. 3.7H, NH+water), 1.48-1.40 (m, 4H), 1.40-1.10 (110H), 0.89 (t-like, avg 6.8 Hz, 24H).

The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, including U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/546,901, filed Aug. 17, 2017, are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compound having the following structure (I):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or stereoisomer thereof, wherein: X and X′ are each independently N or CR; Y and Y′ are each independently absent, —O(C═O)—, —(C═O)O— or NR, provided that: a) Y is absent when X is N; b) Y′ is absent when X′ is N; c) Y is —O(C═O)—, —(C═O)O— or NR when X is CR; and d) Y′ is —O(C═O)—, —(C═O)O— or NR when X′ is CR, L¹ and L^(1′) are each independently —O(C═O)R¹, —(C═O)OR¹, —C(═O)R¹, —OR¹, —S(O)_(z)R¹, —S—SR¹, —C(═O)SR¹, —SC(═O)R¹, —NR^(a)C(═O)R¹, —C(═O)NR^(b)R^(c), —NR^(a)C(═O)NR^(b)R^(c), —OC(═O)NR^(b)R^(c) or —NR^(a)C(═O)OR¹; L² and L^(2′) are each independently —O(C═O)R², —(C═O)OR², —C(═O)R², —OR², —S(O)_(z)R², —S—SR², —C(═O)SR², —SC(═O)R², —NR^(d)C(═O)R², —C(═O)NR^(e)R^(f), —NR^(d)C(═O)NR^(e)R^(f), —OC(═O)NR^(e)R^(f); —NR^(d)C(═O)OR² or a direct bond to R²; G¹, G^(1′), G² and G^(2′) are each independently C₄-C₈ alkylene or C₂-C₈ alkenylene; G³ is C₂-C₂₄ heteroalkylene or C₂-C₂₄ heteroalkenylene; R^(a), R^(b), R^(d) and R^(e) are, at each occurrence, independently H, C₁-C₁₂ alkyl or C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl; R^(e) and R^(f) are, at each occurrence, independently C₁-C₁₂ alkyl or C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl; R is, at each occurrence, independently H or C₁-C₁₂ alkyl; R¹ and R² are, at each occurrence, independently branched C₆-C₂₄ alkyl or branched C₆-C₂₄ alkenyl; z is 0, 1 or 2, and wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkylene, alkenylene, heteroalkylene and heteroalkenylene is independently substituted or unsubstituted unless otherwise specified.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein G³ is C₂-C₂₄ alkyleneoxide or C₂-C₂₄ alkenyleneoxide.
 3. The compound of claim 2, wherein G³ is substituted with hydroxyl.
 4. The compound of claim 2, wherein G³ is C₆-C₁₂ alkyleneoxide.
 5. The compound of claim 1, wherein G³ is C₂-C₂₄ alkyleneaminyl or C₂-C₂₄ alkenyleneaminyl.
 6. The compound of claim 5, wherein G³ is substituted with C₁-C₆ alkyl.
 7. The compound of claim 1, wherein X and X′ are each N, and Y and Y′ are each absent.
 8. The compound of claim 1, wherein X and X′ are each CR, and Y and Y′ are each NR.
 9. The compound of claim 1, wherein X and X′ are each CR, and Y and Y′ are each independently —O(C═O)— or —(C═O)O—.
 10. The compound of claim 1, having one of the following structures (IA), (IB), (IC), (ID), (IE), (IF), (IG) or (IH):

wherein R^(d) is, at each occurrence, independently H or optionally substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl.
 11. The compound of claim 1, wherein L¹ and L^(1′) are each independently —O(C═O)R¹, —(C═O)OR¹ or —C(═O)NR^(b)R^(c), and L² and L^(2′) are each independently —O(C═O)R², —(C═O)OR² or —C(═O)NR^(e)R^(f).
 12. The compound of claim 1, wherein L¹ and L^(1′) are each —(C═O)OR¹, and L² and L^(2′) are each —(C═O)OR².
 13. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹ and R² are each, at each occurrence, independently branched C₆-C₂₄ alkyl.
 14. The compound of claim 13, wherein R¹ and R² at each occurrence, independently have the following structure:

wherein: R^(7a) and R^(7b) are, at each occurrence, independently H or C₁-C₁₂ alkyl; and a is an integer from 2 to 12, wherein R^(7a), R^(7b) and a are each selected such that R¹ and R² are each independently branched and independently comprise from 6 to 20 carbon atoms.
 15. The compound of claim 14, wherein a is an integer from 8 to
 12. 16. The compound of claim 14, wherein at least one occurrence of R^(7b) is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl, n-hexyl or n-octyl.
 17. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹ or R², or both, at each occurrence independently has one of the following structures:


18. The compound of claim 1, having one of the following structures:


19. A composition comprising the compound of claim 1 and a therapeutic agent.
 20. The composition of claim 19, wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a nucleic acid.
 21. The composition of claim 20, wherein the nucleic acid is selected from antisense and messenger RNA.
 22. A method for administering a therapeutic agent to a patient in need thereof, the method comprising preparing or providing the composition of claim 19, and administering the composition to the patient.
 23. A lipid nanoparticle comprising a compound of claim
 1. 24. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the lipid nanoparticle of claim 23 and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or excipient. 